Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Qiao Fry was a technology geek, and he hurriedly said, "Please teach me, Your Majesty."

Jia Cong said: "Look at the two paddle wheels on the left and right. Although they can paddle, they block a lot of the ship's hull. If they are installed on a warship, how can we fight? Wouldn't they block many gun ports?
If the ship is bigger, the paddle wheel will have to be larger. Just running these two heavy things will consume a lot of steam engine power. How much power will be left to drive the ship? "

After hearing this, Qiao Fry seemed to have found a soulmate, and said excitedly: "Your Majesty is right, it's exactly what I thought.

I also built a boat in the past, using a steam engine to drive two rows of wooden oars, but the effect was not good and the speed was slow. It was better to use a paddle wheel, but it was inevitably heavy. "

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Why do you always have to think about the left and right sides of the hull?"

Hearing this, Qiao Fry was shocked, as if the fog that had been lingering in his mind for many years was split open by this sentence. His expression was dull, and he muttered: "Don't use your brain left and right... Don't use your brain left and right... That is..."

Xue Ke and others saw that he was insane and were afraid that he would lose his manners, so they were about to call him, but were stopped by Jia Cong.

"Bring some paper and pen for your drawing."

The boatman hurriedly brought it up.

Jia Cong picked up a charcoal pencil and drew a sketch on a piece of white paper. He said, "Mr. Qiao, please look at this. This is a ship. If we extend a propeller from the rear of the ship under the waterline and use a steam engine to drive it to rotate rapidly, the power will not be wasted at all and will all react to the ship. Isn't this wonderful?"

Qiao Fry's eyes lit up, and he stared at the picture drawn by Jia Cong, and suddenly shouted: "Oh, God! Your Majesty, are you a messenger sent by God to the mortal world? How can you come up with such a brilliant idea?!"

He was a great inventor who had studied ships for many years, but he had reached a dead end. Now that Jia Cong had pointed out the way, he almost instantly determined that this method was feasible and that the efficiency would be dramatically improved.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I just had a wild idea. Do you think it's feasible?"

Joffrey nodded repeatedly and said, "It will work. It will work! Even God can't think of a better way."

Jia Cong said: "Then let's study this method with all our strength. The paddle wheel method is abandoned and of little use. The propeller is the trend of the future!"
In the future, I want an ironclad ship that doesn’t need a single sail and is driven entirely by a steam engine.”

"Yes." Everyone agreed quickly.

"Also, we need to find ways to improve the steam engine, reduce its size, and increase its power and efficiency.

Mr. Qiao, if you have friends who are good at this, you can bring a letter to ask them to come to the Celestial Empire. I will give you money and people. No matter what wonderful ideas you have, you can realize them here. "Jia Cong said.

Geoffrey was delighted and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I have already sent someone to take a letter back. I have several friends who are well versed in ships and steam engines. Since Your Majesty is so tolerant, they will definitely be willing to come."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Okay! Tad brother, these foreign masters must be treated well when they come here. They must all be reported to the court and recommended to the Celestial Empire Institute of Technology, and be granted ranks. In addition, don't treat them badly in terms of food and daily life."

"Don't worry, brother-in-law. I will definitely retain talented people from all over the world to serve the court." Xue Ke said.

Jia Cong patted his shoulder and said, "Thank you for your hard work. Come back with me to the mansion to rest."

Xue Ke shook his head and said, "Thank you for your concern, brother-in-law. I won't go. I have a lot of things to do at home. I have to rush back overnight to build the ironclad ship that brother-in-law mentioned as soon as possible."

Jia Cong said: "There is no need to rush."

Xue Ke pointed at Qiao Fry and said with a smile: "Mr. Qiao is probably more anxious than I am."

Jia Cong turned his head and saw that Geoffrey had already been calculating on the table with a charcoal pencil in his hand, oblivious to the people around him, and the white paper was filled with various graphic symbols.

"Forget it, I won't keep you here. Baoqin is in the car, go and talk to her. By the way, your sister just gave birth to a big fat boy the day before yesterday."

"Oh, really? Congratulations, brother-in-law." Xue Ke was overjoyed. He felt around and found no gift. He quickly took out an exquisite pocket watch from his chest and said, "I came here in a hurry and didn't bring anything. I'll give this little toy to my nephew."

Jia Cong took it with a smile and accompanied him off the boat to chat with Baoqin for a while. Xue Ke was worried about the affairs of the Jiangnan Shipyard, so he said goodbye in a hurry and left.

In the past two days, there has been a new baby in the East Palace, and the couple is extremely happy. All the wealthy, noble, and official families have come to congratulate them. Those who are not of sufficient rank were not even qualified to come, and were sent away after handing over a list of gifts.

Wangcai was wearing a brocade robe with a blue and gold jacquard pattern of good fortune and longevity, and a melon-shaped hat inlaid with emerald green satin. He stood at the gate with his chest puffed out and his belly protruding, majestically directing the doormen and servants to greet and greet guests.

"Please, Master Wang, mention this to the prince when you have time. I will be very grateful."

"Master Wang, I am so sorry. Please bear with me."

"Oh, Master Wang, I am here to greet you. I heard that His Royal Highness Prince Jing has a baby boy, so I am sending you a small gift. I hope you can tell Your Highness about it when it is convenient."

Just after sending one group away, seven or eight more managers who came to deliver gifts gathered around Wangcai like flies to blood, trying to ask for favors.

Wangcai smiled and bowed to all sides, saying: "Housekeepers, I will convey your wishes to the prince, no need to tell you, everyone... Hey, the prince is back, get out of the way!"

The sound of horse hooves could be heard, and several teams of strong and well-organized imperial guards came galloping over and stopped the crowd aside.

Wangcai went to meet him and bowed, saying, "Your servant greets you. An angel has just arrived from the palace, saying that he is here to convey the Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager's decree to confer titles on the two young masters, as well as the imperial edicts to confer titles on the ladies. They are waiting in the hall."

Jia Cong lifted the curtain and took a look, then asked, "What do these people do?"

"They are all famous gentry in the capital. When they heard that there was a happy event in the mansion, they all came to congratulate the prince." Wangcai said with a smile.

Jia Cong nodded and said, "Write them all down and return the gifts one by one."

Wangcai said hurriedly: "Yes, I understand. The prince said that he would not accept money and property from ordinary people for free, and would return the gifts with equal value."

"Yes." Jia Cong lowered the curtain, and his personal soldiers led the carriage in from the west corner gate.

As soon as he entered the main hall, several eunuchs came forward to greet him.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Thank you for keeping me waiting."

"Oh, Your Majesty, you are really embarrassing me." The leading eunuch laughed, "I heard that you need to convey Your Majesty's decree, and all the eunuchs in the palace are trying their best to get this job. I finally got this good job, so I can also take advantage of Your Majesty's blessing. Your Majesty, shall we accept the decree now?"

"it is good."

After the decree was delivered, the eunuchs bowed and took their leave. Wangcai quickly gave them red envelopes and sent them out.

Jia Cong held the two imperial edicts and sat in the hall, pondering for a while. It was natural to confer titles on the women and concubines, but it was intriguing to grant titles to two breastfeeding children.

Everyone knows that a lord cannot be conferred a title without military merit, but the Empress Dowager actually broke the ancestral rule for her. This is too much favor from the Empress Dowager.

I had killed a big insect in the past, and only then was I awarded the title of seventh-rank Enqiwei. Now these two guys have surpassed me as soon as they were born. Is there still any law?
Jia Cong shook his head and laughed, then took the imperial edict and went back to the inner house. He saw all the girls were in the main room talking to Ruyi. At this moment, they were listening to Baoqin describing the strange ship they had just seen, and they all exclaimed in praise.

"What decree did you receive?" Daiyu asked with a smile when she saw him come in.

Jia Cong handed her the two imperial edicts and said with a smile, "We have many more queens in our family. Hehe, we can get more salary from the court in the future."

Ruyi rolled her eyes at him and said, "You greedy bastard, who have been enthroned?" Daiyu then handed her the decree.

Ruyi glanced at them and said with a smile, "Sisters, take a look. Those who didn't get the title this time will have another chance next time."

The ladies hurriedly passed it around to read. Jia Cong observed quietly that those whose names were on the list were happy, but those whose names were not on the list did not care much. He heaved a sigh of relief and thought that the old lady was smart.

This time he first reported eight people: Xiangyun, Qingwen, Fengjie, Chuchan, Wanyanshan, Keqing, Miaoyu, and Lanwei.

As for Baoqin and Yang Si Niang, they are still in mourning. Although Zhen Yuan has finished her mourning period, she has not had time to bring them home. Bai Qiuwei is often busy outside and has no free time, so they can only stay until the next batch.

Most people knew who held what position in their hearts, except Keqing and Miaoyu. Lan Wei was the most surprised one. When she saw her name on the colorful imperial edict, her eyes suddenly became sore and she was about to cry.

She never dreamed that she was born into a prostitute family and had always felt inferior because of this in the mansion. She could only work hard with Ren Shu and others to make money for the mansion to prove her own value. She did not expect that Jia Cong would love her so much. When she saw the jeweled crown and clothes of the ladies brought in by the maid, she could not help but cover her face and cry.

The girls knew what was on her mind and tried to comfort her softly.

Ruyi said, "Sister Lan, what are you doing? Sister Lan is well-educated, well-mannered, and has a noble character. Since entering the mansion, she has devoted herself to the family business. Her hard work and contributions are great. The sisters have seen it and are full of respect for her. She deserves the title of concubine. It shows that some people still have some conscience."

All the girls laughed when they heard this and looked at Jia Cong.

Jia Cong glared at Ruyi, coughed dryly, and said, "My master has a good conscience, don't you know that? I see that everyone else is very happy, but Wei'er is sad. I guess she is not seeking fame for nothing.

Well, bring the imperial edict here, I'll cross her name off, and when I return to the Empress Dowager of Ming Dynasty someday, I'll tell her that we have a 'female Ji Kang' in our family."

"Master...you are so annoying. I am not sad at all." Lan Wei hurriedly held the imperial edict in her arms and glared at Jia Cong with dewy eyes.

Daiyu pinched Jia Cong and spat, "You are not allowed to bully Sister Lan."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "It's just a joke. If I want to bully Wei'er, I won't do it verbally, hehe."

The girls sneered when they heard his words, and then covered their mouths and spat at him in unison.

Lan Wei's face was flushed with rosy clouds, and her eyes were full of charm, which had already made Jia Cong's muscles and bones weak.

"Ahem, there is another imperial edict for the second and third brothers. Hey, these two kids, who have just learned to suckle, are more powerful than me beating a tiger. One got the fifth-rank Yunqiwei, and the other got the sixth-rank Xiaoqiwei. Where can they go to seek justice?" Jia Cong said.

Ruyi smiled and said, "How can a father be jealous of his son? The Queen Mother has shown such favor to you because of your past contributions."

"That's true." Jia Cong laughed. He now has three sons. Let's not talk about the eldest son, who grew up in the Western Regions and is a mixed-race child. The family business and fame in the mansion have nothing to do with him. The second and third sons have both obtained titles and will have their own future.

"You haven't named the child yet," Daiyu reminded.

"Um... I've already thought about it. Let's give it a nickname so that it's easier to raise..."

"Hey, you should be more careful. Don't give the boss a nickname like that. If you tell others about it, people will laugh at you. How can you come up with the idea of ​​Tutu?" Ruyi said.

All the girls covered their mouths and laughed.

Jia Cong was quite proud and said, "Don't you think the name 'Tu Tu' is cute? What are you laughing at? It's better than those messy names in the Western Regions.

Let me think, the second child with a chubby face should be called Tiger Head, and the third child with a chubby face should be called Little Fatty, what do you think?

All the girls burst into laughter when they heard this, and said, "You should think of a more elegant name. It doesn't sound like a son of a rich family, but more like a country boy."

"This is called being down-to-earth, you don't understand."

Daiyu laughed and said, "Bao girl will definitely spit at you. What's the name of the second girl?"

The second girl is Ping'er's daughter. According to the custom of the Jia family, children are ranked according to their age, and Qiaojie is the eldest girl.

Jia Cong pinched his chin and thought for a while, then said, "The second girl has a round face and is very well-behaved, so let's call her Dudu."

"No! 'Dudu' sounds like the name of a cat or dog. It's okay for a boy, but a girl's name can't be chosen casually. Pick another one." Ruyi frowned, and the other girls echoed in unison.

Seeing that the public anger was hard to deal with, Jia Cong smiled and said, "I said I don't know how to name it, but you insisted that I do it. Pin'er, you can think of one."

Daiyu rolled her eyes at him in anger, and after a moment's hesitation, she said, "The second girl has the same temperament as Sister Ping'er, quiet and gentle. There is a saying in the past that goes 'the room is quiet under the moonlit pines', so let's call her Jing'er."

"Okay, this name sounds nice." Everyone praised with a smile.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "The names that talented women think of are different, so let's use this one. I'll go see Sister Feng and Sister Ping. Wei'er, take the decree and show it to Sister Feng. Her son is going to be successful soon." After saying that, he stood up.

Lan Wei nodded in agreement and followed him up.

"How can you speak of your own son like that? Be careful or Sister Feng will get mad at you." The girls laughed.

Jia Cong smiled and waved his hand, then left. He walked out the door holding Lan Wei's hand and said, "Wei'er, you have done a great job in managing my business, and you are an extraordinary person. This title belongs to you, so don't think too much about it."

Lan Wei looked at Jia Cong tenderly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your love and respect."

Jia Cong said: "You and I have known each other since childhood, so why should we be so formal? If the number of concubines was not limited, I would really like to give one to each of you.

Go back and tell Ren Shu, Su He, Chao Lu and the others that this title shows that neither the master, Yan'er, Baochai, nor Pin'er will look upon you differently.

As long as we enter this door, we are all one family. Cong was born in a humble family, how can we judge a hero by his family background? "

Lan Wei held his hand and said with emotion, "Your Majesty's words make us feel even more ashamed. Only by serving you till death for the rest of our lives can we repay your kindness in the slightest possible way.

Sister Shu and the others are not unreasonable people, so you don't have to worry.

Since we came into the mansion, my sisters have been very caring and loving to us, without any cold eyes or ridicule. We are deeply grateful and will be satisfied as long as we can serve the master.

As for status, fame and wealth, they are dispensable to people like us who have experienced the ups and downs of life."

Jia Cong took her hand and kissed it, then sighed, "I wish to win the heart of one person and stay with him till we grow old together."

Lan Wei smiled and said, "Of course my heart belongs to you, but as for my other three sisters, you still have to go talk to them in person."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "In ancient times, there were three heroes fighting against Lu Bu. Tonight, I will compete with you four leaders. This is called one king against four leaders. It is better than the ancients."

"We will accompany you, please feel free to teach me." Lan Wei smiled charmingly. (End of this chapter)