Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

In the evening, dignitaries from more than a dozen families including Jia Cong and his party, including Niu Jizong, Liu Fang, Hou Xiaokang, etc., came to congratulate him on his concubine.

Everyone knew that Jia Cong's sudden invitation to treat guests must have something to do, and the so-called concubinage was just an excuse, so everyone didn't drink much. After a quick meal, they gathered in the study with Jia Cong and Pang Chao to discuss secretly.

"I invite you all to have a drink today. We really have something to discuss." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"We're all not outsiders, but Marquis Huan just said it's okay." Everyone said hurriedly.

"I went to the palace today." Jia Cong said slowly, "Hey, I didn't expect that we didn't have the idea to attack Marquis Wu, but they attacked me first."

"how do I say this?"

"Hou Huan made it clear?"

"What happened?"

Everyone asked hurriedly.

Jia Cong told the story about the old concubine Nan'an acting as a matchmaker to lure Concubine Yuan into marriage.

Everyone looked at each other and frowned: "Despicable! Marquis Wu actually plotted against the virtuous concubine."

"What a counter-intuitive plan. As long as this edict is issued, no matter whether it succeeds or not, it will bury a nail in the heart of the Holy Emperor."

"Fortunately, the Marquis and Dai Nei have a good relationship, otherwise they would have been tricked."

Everyone was relieved when they heard that they were intercepted by Dai Quan. This was the benefit of having someone in the palace.

Jia Cong said: "I am telling you this to remind everyone that Wuhou and his party will do anything they can, so you must be careful."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Later, the Queen sent someone to call me."

"Oh? What are your orders?" Everyone asked hurriedly.

Jia Cong said: "It's nothing serious. We just had a casual chat and talked about Tu Fei's promotion to Duke. The queen asked me what I thought about this matter."

Everyone looked at each other and cheered up. Was the Queen also over?

"The empress said that we should have made preparations early in case Tu Fei and the others were so impatient that they jumped over the wall."

Everyone's hearts were shocked. Prepare early. These four words are not simple.

"What the empress means is..."

Pang Chao said with a smile: "My lords, the reason why the queen can order so much is because Marquis Huan is the consort, any more will be too much."

Everyone knew that Pang Chao was Jia Cong's think tank, so they hurriedly asked for advice: "Please give me some advice, Mr. Pang."

Pang Chao smiled and said: "In Chao's humble opinion, the so-called preparer is nothing more than the difference between having a sword but not using it and having no sword in hand.

If Your Majesty wants to touch Tu Fei, and you can't guarantee that someone will take the risk, wouldn't it be the time when you have made great achievements and served your Majesty? If you don't have a sword to use, wouldn't you miss the opportunity and even wait for death? "

Everyone was shocked, the word "stand still" was a bit scary.

"Sir, do you think the situation has reached this point?" Niu Jizong said solemnly.

Pang Chao said: "There is no harm in planning for the worst in everything and thinking about defeat before calculating victory."

"Sir, your opinion is yours, and we will bow to you." Everyone said with cupped hands.

Jia Cong said: "Starting from tomorrow, I will slowly transfer my soldiers and others into the capital and bury them in various houses in the capital, just in case.

You gentlemen, please consider what you should do. It doesn’t matter whether you make meritorious deeds or not. It is right to protect yourself first. "

"What Marquis Huan said is right, we will just do it." Everyone said in unison.

The situation was critical and they didn't care about saving money. They first transferred people from their own villages to Beijing, just in case.

Nowadays, Niu Jizong and Jia Cong are marquises and can maintain 1000 personal soldiers. Lords Liu Fang, Hou Xiaokang, Jiang Zining, Xie Jing and other lords also have personal soldiers. The problem of not having enough soldiers is not a problem for these aristocratic families.

As for Chen Ruiwen, Ma Shang, Shi Guangzhu, Wang Ziteng, etc. who did not have a title, they no longer cared about breaking the ban at this time, and directly selected brave men from the descendants of the soldiers left by their ancestors or the sons of their families.

As long as he doesn't wear armor and doesn't act in a high-profile manner, no one can accuse him, so it's okay to just treat him as a chosen servant.

Jia Cong said: "In order to act secretly and avoid the enemy's surprise, Wu Shibo must say hello. There is no need to check carefully when entering the city."

"Yes, that's the way it should be." Everyone nodded. They couldn't just deploy people without weapons. When a large number of weapons entered the city, it would be difficult to explain if they were found out.

Wu Lang said with a smile: "This is natural. I will give each of you brothers a warrant to enter the city later to ensure that no one will investigate."

Everyone smiled and thanked him.

Jia Cong nodded and said: "In addition, the servants who lurk in the city must be strictly controlled and must not cause trouble or make others aware of it, so as not to backfire and spoil the matter!"

"Don't worry, Marquis Huan, we will understand later." Everyone said hurriedly.

At that moment, everyone discussed some contingency plans before they dispersed.

Prince Teng was the last to fall, and he found an opportunity to explain to Jia Cong: "Huan Hou, regarding my wife, I cannot manage the family well, and I am really ashamed.

I really don't know anything about Baoyu's marriage. What my wife did was definitely not the intention of the Wang family. "

Jia Cong said with a smile: "I already know everything about this matter. It is actually caused by my wife's deep love for her son. Besides, the old lady has already dealt with it, so I don't mind mentioning it.

Don't worry, Shibo. The Jia family and the Wang family have been friends for hundreds of years. How can it change just because of my wife? Regardless of whether your wife is present or not, it will not affect the friendship between our two families. "

Wang Ziteng breathed a sigh of relief, cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, Marquis Huan, for your magnanimity. King Xue of Jia Shi, after all, your master is the leader, and we are willing to follow him."

Although he felt heartbroken for Mrs. Wang, he did not plead for her. As the head of the family, how could he ignore the overall situation for a younger sister.

"Your Majesty's words are serious. Now is the time for us to work together. We must not have any bad feelings." "What Marquis Huan said is true. Stay and say goodbye."

The next day, Jia Cong met with Feng brand carpenters, silversmiths, cobblers, tailors, embroiderers and other experienced craftsmen sent by Baochai.

It took a whole morning, laborious words, gestures, and showing them the samples made by Qingwen and the sketches I drew before I could explain all the things clearly and send them out.

As soon as he sat down and took a sip of tea, he heard Wang Cai's report: "Master Hou, Second Master Yun has come to send a message, saying that together with Master Xue, he will bring distinguished men from all over the Western Yi countries to Beijing to pay homage to Master Hou tomorrow. Send Uncle Xue and Miss Xue to pay my respects."

"Oh? We're finally here." Jia Cong raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Brother Tan is here too. Okay, I'll invite you soon."

After a while, Wangcai led Xue Baoqin in, and several strong women carried Xue Baoqin into the back house and saw Sister Feng and others.

"My dearest brother, see you, Lord Marquis." Xue Biao entered the Shenshi Hall and bowed his hands respectfully.

"Brother, you're welcome. As long as you and I are brothers, you will have to call me brother-in-law in a few days." Jia Cong said with a smile.

Xue Biao smiled and said: "Brother, I dare not be rude in person. When I came to Beijing this time, I accompanied my father to bring the nobles from the Western Yi countries to pay homage to my brother;
Secondly, I also want to congratulate my brother-in-law and Sister Bao on their happy marriage; thirdly, my sister-in-law is old enough and she is sent to Beijing to get married at a chosen date. "

"Okay, I can rest assured that Baochai has you as his brother. This is a rare visit, so he will be very stubborn in the capital and make friends with young talents from various families." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"My brother-in-law obeys his instructions. There is another matter. Brother Yun asked me to bring a letter to my brother-in-law, saying that he and my father had drafted the articles of association with the wealthy families in the West. I would like to inform my brother-in-law first."

As he spoke, Xue Biao took out a thick abridged letter from his arms and presented it to Jia Cong.

Jia Cong took it and said with a smile: "Thank you. I'm already hungry. It just so happens that I haven't eaten either. Let's eat first and then go visit the old lady. Pass the meal around."

"Thank you brother-in-law for the food."

"You're welcome. Let's go in and see Baoqin." Jia Cong laughed and put his arm around his shoulders.

Bao Qin was chatting and joking with Sister Feng, Chu Chan and others in the inner hall. When she saw him coming in, she hurriedly got up and said hello.

Xue Biao was a little cautious and bowed: "I have met all of you sisters-in-law."

The girls looked at Xue Biao, smiled and exchanged greetings.

After not seeing each other for several months, Baoqin has grown taller, and her bun has changed since she has grown into a hairpin. She has become more handsome, lovely, and lovable.

What a beauty. In terms of beauty alone, in two years' time she will probably be slightly better than Bao and Dai, or even comparable to Keqing.

Although she is a little less charming and sentimental than Keqing, she is a little more innocent and lively.

Jia Cong secretly admired her and said with a smile: "Sister Qin is even cuter than when we met in Jinling that day. The old lady will definitely like her after seeing her."

Bao Qin said shyly: "My little sister, thank you for your brother-in-law's praise. I feel ashamed to deserve it. Sister Bao is so graceful and graceful as a god."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Spring orchids, autumn chrysanthemums, each has its own merits, each has its own merits."

Sister Feng sneered on the side and rolled her eyes at him, curling her lips, smiling so cunningly, she must have bad intentions.

Chu Chan pursed her lips and smiled softly. I feel pity for Girl Qin. I don't blame Cong'er for being a little careless. Everyone has a love for beauty.

However, it would be hard to do well if Bao Yatou knew.

Jia Cong saw the two people's thoughts, coughed slightly, and said seriously: "You are all watching what I am doing, pass the food first.

Brother Biao and Girl Qin, you are here just in time. In a while, we will be drinking your brother Biao’s wedding wine. "

Bao Qin smiled and said: "Brother Pan also has a sister-in-law? My mother-in-law must be very happy."

Xue Biao said: "It's just a good time to come to see my eldest sister-in-law."

Jia Cong chuckled and said, "Let me tell you in advance, your sister-in-law is really awesome."

Baoqin clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Amitabha, finally someone can control Big Brother Pan, and my aunt can also worry less."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "I can control it, but I can't worry about it. Let's talk while eating, the old lady is still waiting."

After the meal, Jia Cong and Sister Feng accompanied them to visit Jia Mu. Many sisters were very happy to meet each other.

Baoyu was even more happy when she saw Baoqin like this, and kept trying to get close to him. Baoqin is well-informed and doesn't like him at all, so he just treats him politely.

Baoyu said: "Old lady, I seem to have seen this sister before."

Jia Cong laughed when he heard this. This bastard really showed no progress at all, and even used the tricks he used when he was a child to embarrass himself.

Jia Mu rolled her eyes at Jia Cong and said with a smile, "Girl Qin just came to Beijing today. When have you seen her before?"

Baoqin also covered his mouth and said with a smile: "Second brother, I think I have admitted the wrong person. I have sailed on the rivers and seas with my father since I was a child, traveling to various countries and places. I have never been to Beijing. I have not even stayed in Jinling. How can you do that?" Have you seen me?"

Baoyu smiled and said, "Although I have never met her before, I look at her kindly, and in my heart she is an old acquaintance. Today we just want to meet her again after a long distance, so it's not a bad idea."

Jia Mu smiled and said: "Okay, if so, we will be more harmonious!"

Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh and said: "Baoqin, don't listen to Baoyu's words. Fanbai is a girl with equal eyebrows, and Baoyu is an old acquaintance, let alone you?"

Bao Qin's face turned red, she covered her mouth and snickered.

Baoyu hurriedly cried out: "Brother Cong, don't slander others. Am I one of those people who judge people by their appearance?"

Jia Mu also glared at Jia Cong: "Don't bully Baoyu."

Jia Cong raised his hands and surrendered: "Okay, you always favor Baoyu, it's my fault. I've already brought you here. I have something to do over there, so I'll leave first."

"You go about your business. Girl Qin will live with me." Jia Mu really liked Bao Qin very much, and immediately expressed her intention to arrange for her to live in the warmth of her dormitory.

Xue Biao met with several elders and then set off to Aunt Xue's house to help prepare for the wedding of his brother and sister. (End of chapter)