Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 174 Jia Rong and Daiyu Return to Beijing
……

Supervisor of Ceremonies.

Dai Quan was overjoyed when he looked at the memorial in his hand.

He sneered in his unique, high-pitched voice, "Great, great! We finally found those old bastards. They actually hid on Taizhou Island and became local tyrants!"

"We will tear you into pieces to relieve our hatred!"

soon.

The cabinet member Jia Jing and the eunuch Dai Quan unanimously decided to send troops to sweep Pingtaizhou Island and throw the Western yellow-haired monster into the sea to feed the fish.

The retired emperor actually didn't care about these things. He didn't even take a few young Westerners seriously. What he was interested in was the silver from the major salt merchants.

"Promote Lin Ruhai to Governor-General of Zhili and Zhejiang, and immediately dispatch troops to Taizhou to wipe out the Westerners and bring the criminal to justice!"

The cabinet, the Imperial Household Department and the emperor had already decided on the promotion of Lin Ruhai to the governor-general of Zhizhe. This was only announced on this pretext.

"Sir, obey the order!"

"The slave obeys the order."

Dai Quan and Jia Jing bowed together.

The Prime Minister, Lord Ye, beside him frowned slightly.

Daxia has been a country of etiquette since ancient times, and has never invaded or occupied any of the surrounding small countries, including Ryukyu and Taizhou. However, now that Taizhou is occupied by the Western little yellow-haired people, it is naturally a different matter.

"I suggest that after driving the Westerners out of Taizhou, we should still hand over Taizhou Island to the local people for management, so as to show the kingly demeanor of our great Great Xia, a country of etiquette."

The Supreme Emperor nodded.

"That's right!"

He simply looked down upon such a tiny place.

Naturally, the other court officials had no objections and all agreed.

"The Holy Emperor is wise!"

Time flies, and it is early summer in the blink of an eye.

Lin Ruhai, who had been promoted to Governor-General of Zhili and Zhejiang, moved to Hangzhou Prefecture to live and work. All preparations for the attack on Taizhou Island had been completed. The Lianghuai Coastal Defense Force dispatched a hundred warships and 20,000 naval forces, and marched towards Taizhou Island in a mighty force.

The two thousand Westerners on the island were all terrified. Daxia was undoubtedly an unshakable giant in front of them. They sent envoys to ask for peace, presented gifts, and even used their connections to ask the King of the Sea to negotiate with Lin Ruhai.

However, the so powerful Poseidon in their eyes was just a pirate leader in Lin Ruhai's eyes. Lin Ruhai didn't even meet the Poseidon's messenger and directly captured the man and chopped off his head.

Who are you to be worthy of seeing me?

Afterwards, Lin Ruhai personally led the army from Fujian to Penghu Island, and then from Penghu Island to Taiwan Island. The mere two thousand yellow-haired people were unable to defend the coastline and could only retreat into the city and hide.

After landing on the island, Lin Ruhai used his absolute numerical advantage to surround the city where the Westerners were located. The artillery fire roared day and night, as if he was determined to kill everyone.

The Westerners resisted for two months, but finally surrendered after running out of ammunition and food.

"In this battle, we killed 800 enemies, captured 1,000 yellow-haired men, seized 50 large Western ships, more than 500 French cannons, 300,000 taels of gold, and 6 million taels of silver..."

As Lin Ruhai listened, his eyes lit up.

This group of Westerners actually hoarded so much wealth on the island!

This battle is worth it!
Even if there was no trace of the salt merchants, it was enough to report to the emperor and the court.

"The Westerners will definitely not give up after suffering such a huge loss. You never know when they will come back. You must keep a close eye on them and report any signs of trouble immediately!"

With tens of millions of silver dollars, one must be cautious.

"Here!"

Just as the guards went down, another guard came up and reported: "Traces of Japanese pirates have been found in many places along the coast, and there seem to be signs of invasion!"

"Oh!"

Lin Ruhai slammed the table.

"That's unreasonable!"

He knew why these Japanese pirates came!
"Order the army to prepare for battle!"

"Here!"

The soldiers took the order and went down.

Lin Ruhai sighed, fearing that the coastal areas would not be peaceful in the near future.

Lin Ruhai then hurried back to Hangzhou and called Lin Daiyu over.

"I don't know where that brat has gone recently. I have prepared a boat for you. You will go north to Kyoto tomorrow and stay at your grandmother's house for the time being."

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips and wanted to delay for a few days. She and Jia Rong had agreed to return in autumn, and according to the time, Jia Rong should be back soon.

As if he had seen through his precious daughter's thoughts, Lin Ruhai said with a half-smile, "Don't worry, go back to Beijing first. When Rong Ge'er has had enough of his troubles outside, he will have to return to Kyoto sooner or later. Then you can see him, right?"

Lin Daiyu's pretty face turned red.

"What did Daddy say!"

"I don't want to see...that person!"

After saying that, she quickly picked up her skirt, turned around and ran away.

"Hahaha."

Lin Ruhai smiled with relief and sadness.

He actually had some news about Jia Rong. It was said that he was traveling in Fujian and wanted to see the power of the Great Xia's strong ships and powerful guns.

However, in fact...

As soon as Lin Ruhai left, he took Jiao Da and others to Taizhou Island.

Jiao Dadao: "Uncle, shall we build the headquarters here? What should we call it?"

Jia Rong looked at the ships coming and going on the sea and thought for a moment: "Let's call it Daxia Taizhou Trading Company."

Jiao Da laughed and said, "There is a company called Holland in Luzon. We used to sell goods there, but now I'm afraid we can't do business."

Jia Rong: "Hey, let's get them!"

As the saying goes, there can't be two tigers in one mountain!
Jiao Dadao: "How to do it?"

Jia Rong already had an idea. He smiled and said, "I'll ask you to submit a report saying that we found traces of salt merchants over there. Then the court will naturally send troops to attack them."

This time, the destruction of the Western strongholds has brought sweet benefits to both the emperor and his ministers. I think they will not refuse such a good thing that is sure to make money.

Jiao Da: “…”

It seems that this excuse can be used forever.

"All right."

Jia Rong patted Jiao Da's shoulder and said with a smile, "I'm going to go back now. I'll leave this to you. You must do a good job of the company's affairs. I'll send a few suitable people to assist you before the New Year!"

"Don't worry, sir."

……

Dutch East India Company.

The supreme commander slammed the table in anger.

"asshole!"

"I want to go to war with Daxia!"

The loss this time is immeasurable!
It probably won’t be long before someone in Congress will impeach him, or even find someone to replace him!
Everyone was busy persuading him.

"General, please think twice!"

"With our strength here, we are no match for Daxia. Even if we put all our national strength into it, we are still no match for Daxia. After all, they have too many people, and their ships, cannons and muskets are very powerful!"

"Yes, the ancient Eastern country not only has a long history, but also has a higher level of civilization than us. They only believe in etiquette and don't bother to attack these small countries around them. Otherwise, we would have no chance at all!"

After listening to his subordinates' advice, the commander not only did not calm down, but became even angrier!

"Everyone, to use the words of Da Xia, we cannot boost others' morale and destroy our own prestige. Whether Da Xia is a true Oriental lion or a paper tiger, we still need to test them!"

"Your Excellency General..."

"I've made up my mind!"

"Send out 5,000 troops today to attack Taizhou!"

Seeing that persuasion was useless, everyone stopped talking.

Moreover, if they could prove that Daxia was just a paper tiger, they could invade the mainland directly without any worries. Not only could they atone for their sins, but it would not be impossible for them to even be promoted to a higher level!
The commander's subordinate, Samir Badley, stepped forward and said solemnly, "Since we have decided to go to war with Daxia, 5,000 soldiers are far from enough. We might as well withdraw the 10,000 Australian soldiers and join the decisive battle with Daxia."

"After all, compared to the interests of Daxia, those mud monkeys in Australia are nothing."

The commander nodded.

"As you say, sir."

Half a year later, the Dutch East India Company assembled 15,000 soldiers and 100 warships, preparing to go to Taizhou to start a full-scale war with Daxia.

But before they set off, a horrible news came.

To be precise, the Emperor of Daxia issued an imperial decree, ordering them to hand over the Daxia prisoners, otherwise Daxia's 500,000 elite soldiers (50,000, claiming to be 500,000) and 1,000 warships (200, claiming to be 1,000) would crush the Dutch East India Company.

The Dutch commander's face darkened for a moment.

Damn, 500,000 troops!!
The whole of Europe combined doesn't have that many troops.

It's really bullying.

"What do you mean by wanted criminals? It seems like we haven't taken in anyone, right?"

"You don't understand this? It's just an excuse. They used this excuse last time they attacked Taizhou."

"General, what should we do now?"

"Why not send someone to ask for peace?"

"Who's going?"

"General, I know a businessman named Xue from Daxia. He has a strong backer. It is said that the emperor of Daxia has to act according to the face of his backer. Why not ask him to mediate? After all, there is no major conflict of interest between our two countries."

"……it is good!"

"Go quickly!"

……

Let’s not talk about the fighting and killing for now, and let’s say that Jia Rong set out from Taizhou Island, and under the protection of Jiao Da, he braved the wind and waves and soon reached the East China Sea.

Along the way, I killed two groups of ignorant pirates.

They went upstream from the mouth of the Yangtze River and finally caught up with Lin Daiyu and her companions.

"Okay, aunt didn't wait for me and went back to Beijing first." As soon as Jia Rong boarded the ship, he met someone who was the first to complain.

"Hehe, I haven't even told you that you're late, but you start talking about me first!" Lin Daiyu pouted her lips. Although her tone was not very good, she was in a very happy mood.

After all, the troublesome person finally went home!

"Where have you been in the past six months?" Lin Daiyu walked up and asked softly.

Jia Rong sat down on the chair, took out a fan and fanned himself, smiling, "I basically wandered around Jiangnan, and later went to Taizhou Island. I happened to see your father showing off his prowess and beating the yellow-haired devils to a pulp. It was really refreshing."

"Okay!"

Lin Daiyu stared at him angrily, "Daddy is right. If you really went there, do you know how dangerous it is? If you get hurt by the swords and sabers, I, humph, don't care about you!"

Jia Rong took a purple grape from the fruit bowl, peeled it, and said with a smile, "You're worrying too much. With my father leading the way, what danger can there be for me?"

As he spoke, he threw the grape into his mouth.

"Pooh!"

Lin Daiyu blushed and spat, saying angrily, "What old man? Explain it to me clearly."

Jia Rong: "Ah, haha? What did you say?"

Lin Daiyu gritted her teeth and said, "What did I say? It was you who said it!"

"I said... Sister Lin."

Lin Daiyu stepped forward and poked Jia Rong on the forehead: "You are disrespectful."

After saying that, he chuckled and laughed first.

Jia Rong liked her and wanted to take advantage of her, but Lin Daiyu dodged her easily, turned around and looked at Jia Rong, smiling, "I am still your aunt, don't be so rude!"

Jia Rong said with a bitter face: "Didn't you say..."

Lin Daiyu: “Hehehe!”

"You don't dare tell the master!"

Jia Rong: "I'll tell you when I get back."

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth and laughed, "If you are not afraid of being beaten, just tell me."

"You have to tell me even if I get beaten."

"……what are you doing!"

Jia Rong didn't dare to go too far. He just hugged her waist and quickly let go, saying with a smile, "I'm ready."

Lin Daiyu took a step back, leaned against the window, lowered her head and asked, "What are you ready for? Are you going back to get beaten?"

Jia Rong smiled: "A novel."

Lin Daiyu's eyes lit up. Without bothering to question Jia Rong's earlier rudeness, she took two steps forward and whispered, "Really? When does it start?"

Jia Rong fanned himself and said, "I'll take a break today, and another one tomorrow."

Lin Daiyu frowned slightly.

Jia Rong: "Let's start the day after tomorrow. I've been very tired these past two days chasing you."

Lin Daiyu nodded and said, "I know you are tired. Go back and have a good rest, but don't get off the boat and wander around. I will come to see you tomorrow."

Jia Rong: "Don't we have to walk back?"

Lin Daiyu was speechless.

"So what do you want?"

Jia Rong lay down on the recliner next to him and said, "I'll rest here for a while."

Lin Daiyu said, "Then just lie down and rest."

"Rhododendron."

"girl."

"Go get Rong'er a pillow."

"Ai."

Zijuan agreed obediently and took out an embroidered pillow with lotus flowers from her bag: "Uncle Rong, try this and see if it suits you."

Jia Rong took the pillow and said, "It's comfortable."

Pleasant fragrance.

Zijuan smiled and said, "Our girl said that this is a bit hard and she is not used to sleeping on it, so we don't need it. It has been in the bag all the time."

Jia Rong said, "I like the harder ones. Bring them back to me later."

Lin Daiyu said, "You can take it if you want, but how are you going to thank me if you take someone else's pillow?"

Jia Rong said without thinking: "I'll give you my pillow."

Lin Daiyu: "I don't want yours!"

Jia Rong: "Then what do you want?"

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "There's nothing else to do. I can just write two more novels later."

Jia Rong: "Novel fan!"

Lin Daiyu: "It's all your fault!"

Jia Rong: "Blame me?"

Lin Daiyu said confidently: "You were the first one to buy the book for me to read. Who else can I blame but you?"

Jia Rong: “…”

……

Kyoto, Ningguo Mansion.

Xiao Xichun has been very unhappy recently!
Although she had received many gifts from Jia Rong this year, including gold, silver, jade, jadeite, diamonds, antiques, porcelain, calligraphy and paintings, etc.

But she still couldn't be happy!
I had originally agreed to come back after the New Year, but who would have thought that I would be away for more than half a year!
Another Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching.

Do I have to spend this Mid-Autumn Festival alone?
Just as Xiao Xichun was daydreaming, a little girl came in and panted, "Miss, Miss, the master has sent another letter."

Xichun's eyes lit up: "Bring it here quickly!"

The little girl hurriedly handed over the letter.

Xichun opened it and read it quickly without waiting.

"girl!"

Ruhua came over and saw Xichun couldn't stop smiling, so she asked with a smile: "Is Master Rong coming back?"

"Yes!"

Xichun said happily: "Brother Rong, Sister Lin, and the little niece of the Xue family came back together, just in the past two days!"

Of course, she doesn’t know yet that Sister Lin will soon become Niece Lin.

……

……

(End of this chapter)