Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Ningrong Street, Earl's Mansion.

In recent days, from a quiet and peaceful courtyard in the inner courtyard, the melodious and ethereal sound of wooden fish can often be heard, mixed with the clear and peaceful sound of chanting.

Yingchun specifically instructed the old women and maids in the inner courtyard not to approach this small courtyard easily so as not to disturb the peace of the people in the courtyard, as the distinguished guests invited by the master lived there.

That day, Jia's mother originally wanted to move the sick Daiyu back to the West Mansion, but Tanchun used the excuse that Master Xiushan chanted scriptures to ward off evil spirits to persuade Jia's mother to agree to let Daiyu stay in the East Mansion to recuperate.

Daiyu was in great pain at the time, but it was just a temporary mental illness. Thanks to Jia Cong's thoughtful medicine, she was actually fine afterwards.

But Tanchun and Yingchun had already said it, and they were also worried that Lady Jia would have the idea of ​​moving back to the West Mansion again, so naturally they had to do something in front of Lady Jia to suit the situation.

However, Jia Cong has always respected Master Xiushan, not only because she is a virtuous monk, but he is also grateful to Master Xiushan for giving Zhishao a new life.

Jia Cong felt that Daiyu's heart disease had been cured and that she just needed to be well taken care of. It seemed inappropriate to ask Master Xiushan for help.

Besides, Master Xiushan is old and has always been in poor health, so she cannot afford to travel too much.

Later, Zhishao came up with a compromise, which was for her to invite her senior sister Miaoyu to the house to recite scriptures.

Miaoyu has been practicing since she was young. Except for her innate divine destiny which lacks the right timing, she has already inherited all the other Buddhist practices from Master Xiushan.

As long as Miaoyu is invited, she can fulfill the promise made to Lady Jia, and Zhishao and Miaoyu can also spend a few days together in the same mansion.

However, Jia Cong thought that Miaoyu was aloof and cold person, and since he had taken Zhishao away, Miaoyu always had some distance from him, so he was afraid that she would not easily step into his door.

But seeing Zhishao smiling sweetly, as if she was quite expecting something, he knew that she and Miaoyu had a deep sisterly relationship, and that she would always be happy with each other's company, so he just went along with her wishes.

Jia Cong also asked the housekeeper to find a quiet courtyard in the inner courtyard and temporarily set it up as a Buddhist temple for Miaoyu to chant scriptures and stay there.

Regardless of whether Zhishao can invite Miaoyu, the etiquette still needs to be prepared. Moreover, Miaoyu and her disciple will live in Shenjing in the future, and with Zhishao's relationship, it is inevitable that they will have occasional exchanges.

He had originally just been prepared for any eventuality, but in the end he was a little surprised. Zhishao went to Muni Temple and actually brought Miaoyu into his house.

Yingchun, Tanchun and other sisters all met Miaoyu at one time or another. They found that although she was dressed in black clothes, she was still radiant and beautiful, with a charming figure. She was so outstanding.

It's just that how could such a lively and beautiful woman become a nun at such a young age?

Jia Cong and Yingchun brought their sisters to serve tea in Xiande Hall, after which Miaoyu brought Zhishao and Daiyu into the Buddhist hall.

In the next few days, Miaoyu selected the subtle and essential meanings from the "Sutra of the Past Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva" and chanted the mantra devoutly to Daiyu to enlighten her spirit and help her resolve her mind.

Out of curiosity, Jia Cong went to the outside of the Buddhist temple several times to listen, and even peeked at the scene inside the temple through the gauze window.

But I saw the quiet Buddhist hall. In front of the Guanyin statue, on the cushion, there were faint burning incense and a graceful figure in black clothes.

The sound of Miaoyu's chanting was so pure, spotless, and beautiful that it seemed to linger in the air.

This made him, a person who was listening to the sutra outside the hall, suddenly have the idea of ​​leaving the world. The hidden worries and depression in his heart in the past few days disappeared quietly with the sound of Miaoyu's chanting.

Jia Cong could not help but be greatly surprised. He never expected that the sound of Miaoyu's chanting would be so strange.

Originally, Jia Cong had no faith in chanting sutras to exorcise evil spirits. He was a man of later times, and he attached great importance to the logic of practical objects in everything. He seemed to have no basis for the Buddhist and Taoist mantras.

Only after hearing Miaoyu's chanting of scriptures did I feel deeply moved. Even though I came from later times and have more foresight than people today, I still have blind spots and limitations in my cognition.

Just because you don’t know something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or that you can arbitrarily declare it to be false.

Just like Master Xiushan, who is proficient in divination and is said to be able to predict future events, Jia Cong was a little skeptical at first.

After seeing Miaoyu's miraculous ability in reciting scriptures, and then thinking of my own miraculous origins, I realized that there are all kinds of wonders in the world, and this was probably the reason.

From this perspective, Master Xiushan's ability to divination might actually be real.

……

When Miaoyu had selected the essence of the "Sutra of the Past Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva" and recited the mantra 49 times, she had completed this lesson.

Although Miaoyu was invited to come and recite scriptures, Jia Cong, Tanchun and others were just putting on an act in front of Grandmother Jia, to prevent Grandmother Jia from feeling that there was unrest in the East Palace and bringing the matter back to the West Palace.

At first, Daiyu thought that asking someone to recite scriptures was just a formality and did not take it seriously. However, since the person came was Zhishao's senior sister, she wanted to treat her with courtesy.

When they saw such a beautiful and extraordinary person like Miaoyu, they were quite surprised.

Later, I listened to her chanting scriptures and mantras in the Buddhist temple for several days. Her clear and pleasant murmurings were like Buddhist chanting. I felt my body and mind cleansed, my mind clear, and the sharp obsessions in my heart were all dissipated.

Daiyu originally thought that Miaoyu was an outstanding person, but she did not expect that she had such ability in Buddhist philosophy and chanting mantras, and she could not help but feel amazed.

Although Miaoyu is cold and aloof by nature, she seems to have a good impression of Daiyu, who is equally outstanding. Knowing that Daiyu is kind to Zhishao, she is more willing to get close to her.

On the day Miaoyu left home, Jia Cong, Yingchun, Daiyu, Zhishao and others served tea to her in Xuanfu Hall.

Jia Cong said: "Master Miaoyu came to the mansion to recite scriptures and pray for Sister Lin with all her heart and soul. Jia Cong is so grateful that I don't know how to thank her."

Miaoyu smiled slightly after hearing what Jia Cong said: "Does Weiyuan Bo really want to thank me?"

Seeing that Miaoyu's words were so casual so rarely, Jia Cong inadvertently revealed a charming smile, like the quiet fragrance of an ephemeral flower, pure, beautiful, dazzling, elegant and moving.

When Jia Cong took Zhishao away from Suzhou, Miaoyu lost her fellow apprentice sister who she got along well with. She felt quite alienated from Jia Cong, so she never had a good face towards him and never smiled at him.

Until this time when Jia Cong went to Jinling, he sent Zhishao to Panxiang Temple. When Miaoyu saw Zhishao again, the coldness disappeared in an instant and she smiled brightly, which Jia Cong still remembers.

Perhaps it was because Miaoyu was too lonely, surrounded by green lamps and ancient Buddhas, and not talking or laughing, that her occasional smile seemed even more dazzling.

Seeing this smile again now still made him a little dazed. A nun smiling so beautifully was really a sin in front of the Buddha.

Jia Cong calmed himself down and said, "Of course I have to thank you. This can't be false."

At this time, the smile on Miaoyu's face had disappeared, and it seemed that the surprising smile just now was just a subconscious reaction after hearing Jia Cong's words of thanks.

Miaoyu suddenly said, "It's not difficult for you to thank me. All you need is a thank-you gift that I like."

After hearing what Miaoyu said, Daiyu and Yingchun both looked strange.

They all knew that Jia Cong was just being polite, but Miaoyu asked for a gift of thanks, which was abrupt and strange. Ordinary people would never say such inappropriate words when greeting each other.

Only Zhishao had a hint of laughter and a wry smile on her face. Her senior sister had been following Buddhist teachings since she was a child, had renounced the worldly world, was unconventional, and had a wild and eccentric personality. Even after being apart for so many years, she hadn't changed at all.

Jia Cong was the only one in the hall who didn't care. He knew Miaoyu's temper very well and smiled, "I don't know what kind of thank-you gift would be liked by Master Miaoyu."

Miaoyu's eyes were sparkling, and she spoke frankly, saying, "Weiyuan Bo is famous for his calligraphy. I often read the "Buddha's Sutra on the Emptiness of the Five Aggregates" that you gave to my master that year, and it is very good.

Nowadays, the Heart Sutra is highly respected and circulated in temples. It is said that it was taught to Earl Weiyuan by a strange monk when he was young. Although the text of the sutra is concise, every sentence is full of gems.

I would like to ask Weiyuan Bo to write a scroll for me so that I can read and chant the mantra from time to time."

After hearing this, Daiyu and Yingchun realized that Miaoyu was asking for a thank-you gift, not some vulgar item like gold or silver, but just a request for a calligraphy from Jia Cong.

This was originally a very elegant thing, but the way she described it was so abrupt and weird that everyone couldn't help but smile in their hearts, thinking that although this pretty nun's words and deeds were a bit weird, she also had a bit of simplicity and innocence.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "This is an easy thing to do. It's just that I have been feeling uneasy these days. I have been writing Buddhist scriptures by hand, and my brushstrokes are filled with impatience. I wrote it hastily as a gift to you, and I am afraid it may be disrespectful.

"Will I wait until I have sorted out my mundane affairs and then write it for you with all my heart?"

Miaoyu said, "That's very good."

……

When Miaoyu was about to get up to say goodbye, Xing Xiuyun hurried to Xuanfu Hall to see her off.

When he saw Miaoyu, he said, "Sister Miaoyu, I was delayed by something. Fortunately, I made it in time to send you off. I don't know when you will come next time."

She has been reading and writing with Miaoyu since she was a child, and is like a teacher to Miaoyu. Their friendship is naturally closer and more special than that with others.

Miaoyu's face was gentle, and she said, "Now we are all in the capital, just like when we were in Gusu, there is no difference. When you have time, remember to come to Muniyuan, and I will treat you to tea."

After Jia Cong and others saw Miaoyu off, the sisters went to sit with Yingchun first, but Xing Xiuyun said she had something else to do.

Jia Cong was curious, so he followed her and called her.

Seeing Xing Xiuyan's rosy face, her beauty became even more charming, as if she had just rushed to see Miaoyu off, and she was in a hurry, and her breathing was still unstable.

Jia Cong asked curiously, "Xiu Yan, why were you in such a hurry just now? Were you busy with something?"

Xing Xiuyan said: "My aunt is in a bad mood today, so my mother asked me to go to the East Courtyard to talk to her.

I estimated the time and Sister Miaoyu was about to leave, so I came out to see her off. My mother was still waiting there, so I had to go back now."

Jia Cong asked curiously, "Why is the eldest wife in a bad mood?"

Xing Xiuyan replied, "My mother told me that the master bought a house in Chongqingfang and redeemed a famous singing girl in Xingxianglou, and wanted to take her in as a concubine... He spent a lot of money to take her in as a concubine, and my aunt was very angry."

Xing Xiuyan was, after all, a young girl, and when it came to buying a famous singing girl as a concubine, she knew it was a shameful thing to do, so she dodged the question in embarrassment and her face turned red.

Jia Cong frowned when he heard this. He had heard too many absurd things about Jia She since he was a child. Although he was disgusted, he was not surprised. This was how he was. However, Chongqingfang was not far from Judefang, which was considered a noisy place in the city. The houses there were not cheap. How could Jia She still have so much money?
Since the court implemented the New Deal, reducing the tax-free fields of officials and gentry and distributing taxes based on the land, the taxes levied by Rongguo Mansion in the summer and winter each year have increased by 30 to 40 percent compared with previous years.

The public treasury of Rongguo Mansion was no longer as abundant as in previous years. If Wang Xifeng had not obtained Lady Jia's approval, she would have laid off many slaves and servants in the mansion, saving a lot of monthly wages and food and clothing expenses.

He also donated some unnecessary expenses from previous years. I'm afraid that the money in the Rongguo Mansion has long been insufficient to cover its expenses, and it will be exhausted in a few years.

Under such circumstances, the amount of silver distributed from the Rongguo Mansion to the East Courtyard every month was much less than in previous years, and Jia She could no longer live as extravagantly as before.

Jia Cong knew something about the market situation. The house in Chongqingfang plus the redemption money for the popular singing girl would probably cost four or five thousand taels of silver.

Jia Cong asked Jiang Liu to secretly investigate the Hongchun Fur Shop. It was just an ordinary shop, and could not be compared with the prosperous shop like Xiuniang Perfume Shop.

Moreover, for some unknown reason, Hongchun's fur business has been very slow in the past few months.

Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for Jia She to come up with so much money at once to buy concubines in his house...

Ever since he received the letter from Feiyu in Nanjing, Jia Cong knew that Jia She's theft of muskets was as serious as an egg and the incident was imminent.

At this moment, he suddenly had a large sum of money in his hands, which made Jia Cong suspicious.

……

Seeing that her cousin didn't say anything after she explained the reason and looked as if he was thinking about something, Xing Xiuyan waited patiently by his side, looking at him quietly with her beautiful eyes.

After Xing Xiuyun entered the mansion, she lived in Yingchun Courtyard. She usually kept company with sisters such as Daiyu, Tanchun, Xichun, etc. Even when Jia Cong came, they could not say a few words.

There were few opportunities to be alone with Jia Cong like this. Seeing Jia Cong in a daze, she didn't care. She had a calm mind and thought it was not bad to accompany him in a daze like this.

Jia Cong came to his senses and saw Xing Xiuyan still standing there gracefully, silent.

Smiling, she said, "No one else can interfere in the affairs of the eldest master and the eldest mistress, so why should we ask you, a girl, to accompany them? We won't go in the future, and if you ask, just push the blame on me."

Xing Xiuyan asked hesitantly, "How can I put the blame on my cousin?"

Jia Cong thought for a moment and said, "There are many disputes and bad things going on in the East Courtyard, and I can't bear to let a girl like you get involved.

If you encounter something like this in the future and you don’t want to go, just say that I have something to talk to you about and you can’t leave. You can talk as you like, and naturally no one will bother you.”

Mrs. Xing betrothed her niece to him. Jia Cong knew without a doubt that Mrs. Xing had no good intentions towards him, nor was she thinking about Xing Xiuyun's lifelong future. It was probably her greedy and money-loving nature that was at work.

Jia Cong has always admired Xing Xiuyun's indifferent and self-aware character. Naturally, he doesn't want his cousin to fall into Mrs. Xing's trap for no reason, so he always has to take good care of her.

Now the news has spread to both mansions that Xing Xiuyun will marry Jia Cong in the future. Others know that Jia Cong is looking for her, so even Mrs. Xing will have some concerns and will not be involved in many calculations.

In the autumn sun and gentle breeze, Xing Xiuyun was still standing there in a daze, looking at Jia Cong's departing back. His shoulders were slender and his back was straight, like a jade tree, and his sleeves fluttered with every step.

Her pretty face slowly turned red with shame, and in her mind she just took Jia Cong's unintentional words out of context and kept thinking back to them: I can't bear to leave you...

……

The palace city of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Qianyang Palace.

The autumn colors in the capital are deepening, and there is a chill in the spacious palace. At this moment, besides the emperor, there is a man in simple clothes, kneeling on the ground without saying a word.

Emperor Jiazhao looked intently at a sketch on the imperial desk. The sketch had intricate lines and depicted a musket with an ingenious structure.

This was the concept sketch of the breech-loading rifle that Jia Cong brought to the Firearms Department workshop a few days ago after he determined that Jia She was involved in the smuggling of muskets and decided to find another way to protect himself.

Emperor Jia Zhao asked the kneeling man, "Qian Huai, is this the blueprint of the breech-loading rifle that Jia Cong drew?"

Qian Huai replied: "It was painted by Jia Jianzheng. A few days ago, Jia Jianzheng brought this picture into the workshop and explained it in detail to Deputy Supervisor Liu and several main craftsmen. I happened to be there.

Because the workshop was heavily guarded, I could not leave the workshop for the time being. With the help of the Central Vehicle Department, I was able to copy this picture and bring it out to present to the Emperor.

Emperor Jiazhao asked: "I see that the breech-loading rifle in the picture is extremely complicated. Can it really be made? How does its power compare to the improved Rumi gun?"

Qian Huai replied: "Your Majesty, we have carefully studied the sketches in the past few days. This breech-loading rifle is very different from the muzzle-loading muskets currently in use. Its structure is extremely exquisite.

It is extremely difficult to manufacture. The gun requires mold components and special bullets. According to the current workshop manufacturing technology, it will take at least a year to produce a qualified product.

After that, many test firings and corrections are required, and adjustments are made repeatedly.

According to my estimation, it will take a year and a half to finalize the forging process, and Jia Jianzheng's guidance and evaluation are indispensable.

Once this breech-loading rifle is manufactured, its shooting range, killing power, accuracy and other characteristics are completely incomparable to today's muzzle-loading muskets.

If this gun can be manufactured, the power of our Great Zhou's musket will surely make it difficult for the Western barbarians to even match it.

I have worked in the Ministry of Works for many years and have immersed myself in the art of forging for half my life. I think I am knowledgeable and experienced, but when I met a genius like Jia Jianzheng, I realized that there is always someone better than me.

Jia Jianzheng has fantastic ideas that are beyond imagination and truly a genius."

Emperor Jiazhao murmured to himself: "If this breech-loading rifle is really so powerful, a year and a half is not a short time, but it is a great event to be able to make this rifle!
What a great Jia Cong! I wonder where he got all these wonderful ideas from. Is he born with wisdom?

Emperor Jia Zhao said: "Qian Huai, you can leave now. Do your job well in the Firearms Department. I will not treat you unfairly!"

After Qian Huai thanked him and left, Emperor Jiazhao looked at the intricate and exquisite sketch in his hand, his thoughts unable to calm down.

He thought of how many amazing things Jia Cong had done since he first advocated firearms, including the three-line musket formation, the improved Rumi gun, the special porcelain mine, and the new red cannon.

He also relied on these firearms to quell rebellions and arrest criminals in Nanjing several times, and to put down the threat of the Jurchens in Liaodong in one fell swoop...

He is now only approaching the age of dancing elephants, but he has already made many outstanding achievements. Given time, he will surely become a sharp weapon for him to expand his territory and gain power over the world!
Emperor Jia Zhao looked at the sketch of the breech-loading rifle in his hand, his mind churning, and he recalled the shock he had experienced when Jia Cong had developed and forged new firearms in the past.

He fully believed that as long as this type of breech-loading rifle was finalized and forged, the military strength of the Great Zhou would surely reach a new level...

……

Just as Emperor Jiazhao was feeling proud and excited, he suddenly saw Guo Lin walking quickly into the hall.

"Your Majesty, news came from Qinghe Palace that the Emperor went to the Dowager Consort's bedroom to visit her this afternoon. The Dowager Consort sent everyone out of the bedroom and spoke to the Emperor alone behind closed doors..."

Emperor Jia Zhao frowned, his eyes sparkled, and he asked quietly, "Do you know what my father and the concubine said?"

Guo Lin replied: "Your Majesty, at that time Zhen Fangqing and Eunuch Ouyang were guarding outside the door, and the spies of the Imperial Vehicle Division could not get close at all, so they did not know the content of the conversation between the Emperor and the Concubine Dowager.

But not long after, the emperor summoned Eunuch Ouyang to the hall and asked him to pass on the order to the Ministry of Rites to draft a marriage decree to marry Jia Cong and Zhen Fangqing, select an auspicious date, and announce it to the Zhen and Jia families.

When Emperor Jia Zhao heard this, a sharp light flashed in his eyes. He suddenly stood up from the dragon throne and said in a low and sharp voice: "What did you say!"

A heavy pressure suddenly emerged in the hall, causing Guo Lin to subconsciously take a step back and repeat his previous words respectfully.

Emperor Jiazhao had a gloomy look on his face. He stared at the exquisite sketch of a breech-loading rifle on the imperial desk. His right hand unconsciously clenched into a fist, trembling imperceptibly.

At this moment, his heart was filled with resentment and loss, and his father finally granted Jia Cong a marriage!

The emperor is not unaware of how much importance he has given to Jia Cong by separating him from the four kings and eight dukes.

Doesn't your father have any regard for his position and dignity as an emperor?
Since I ascended the throne, I have worked hard and diligently every day to make the country left by my ancestors flourish!
Not even forty yet, but already my temples are grey...

Among all the ancestors and kings in history, except for Taizu who made great achievements in stabilizing the country, no one can compare to him. Among the other ancestors, I am inferior to them.

Isn't everything I have done enough to let my father see who among his sons has the most talent for governing the world! Who is most worthy of inheriting the imperial throne! Who can be the king who conquers the world!

As long as Jia Cong marries Zhen Fangqing and raises children, he will be able to reconnect with the blood ties with the retired emperor and the four kings and eight dukes.

I had taken great pains to plan and promote him repeatedly, to make him alienate his family, to move out of the palace and set him up on his own, and to confer him a high title. But I'm afraid all this will be in vain.

Emperor Jia Zhao looked at the sketch of the breech-loading rifle on the imperial desk, and kept asking himself whether he could still use Jia Cong without hesitation in that situation!

However, our dynasty governs the world with filial piety, which is an unchangeable truth. The Supreme Emperor and the old Concubine Zhen were both people to whom Emperor Jiazhao needed to treat filial piety.

They were going to arrange a marriage for a younger minister, which was a legitimate auspicious sign and not at all blameworthy. As a son, what reason could I have to object?

If I blatantly oppose the arranged marriage, I am afraid it will cause great criticism from both the government and the public, and I will surely be recorded in history as a rebellious and unfilial person.

However, Jia Cong was not only talented in both civil and military affairs, but also outstanding in the art of using firearms. He was unrivaled in the world, could assist the great cause, and build national prestige...

Is it possible that such a person would be mixed up with good and evil just because of an arranged marriage?

When he thought of this, he felt a surge of resentment in his heart and a strong sense of unwillingness.

Emperor Jia Zhao asked in a disappointed tone, "When will your father decide on the date for the marriage?"

Guo Lin replied, “The Emperor asked Eunuch Ouyang to convey his order to the Ministry of Rites and the officials of the Imperial Observatory, and set the day after tomorrow at 6:00 pm as the auspicious date and time for the marriage.

Now, an imperial decree has been issued to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, requiring them to complete the purchase of the royal wedding gifts before sunset tomorrow."

Emperor Jia Zhao frowned slightly and said, "The court has complicated etiquette for granting marriages, why is it so urgent?"

Guo Lin said in a low voice, "I have received news that the old concubine has fainted several times and her condition is very critical. I am afraid she will not be able to hold on for much longer..." (End of this chapter)