Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 220 Master Zhen is not well

……

Ziming waved the feather fan in his hand, smiled slightly, and said lightly: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Although some people are still hesitating and waiting, there is a saying: dripping water can wear away a stone. As long as Your Majesty is willing to work hard, sooner or later you will be able to recruit these nobles for your own use."

"After all, Lord Jia is no longer interested in this, especially with Jia Rong's success in the imperial examination. This should make him more determined to give up military service and pursue literature. From now on, he will deliberately distance himself from the noble family."

Prince Beijing nodded with deep understanding. He knew that Jia Jing was gradually giving up his military power.

Suddenly, Prince Beijing looked at Mr. Ziming and said solemnly, "Lord Jia and Governor Lin have recently extended their hands to Nanyang. In your opinion, is there a future for development in Nanyang?"

Mr. Ziming smiled and said, "As the saying goes, 'A man may be wise for a lifetime, but he may be foolish for a moment.' Developing towards Southeast Asia is exactly what led to Mr. Jia's failure!"

"Since ancient times, merchants from Daxia have gone to Luzon Island, but it's just for business. There are only uncivilized barbarians over there, even worse than the Tartars in the northern desert. What's the point of getting them?"

"If you want to say the only use, it's probably to make a lot of money from Westerners."

"Your Majesty, tell me, power is more important or money is more important?"

Prince Beijing burst into laughter.

"Hahaha."

"When power is at hand, money means nothing!"

"I take to you, sir, like a fish to water!"

……

"how did you find me?"

On the way home, Jia Rong asked seriously.

Xiao Xiao walked beside Jia Rong and smiled: "I have my own way."

Jia Rong asked, "Could it be a tracking fan?"

Xiao Xiao blinked: "What?"

Jia Rong: "It's the kind that puts tracking powder on people's clothes, and then you can find them by smelling the scent."

Xiao Xiao scolded: "No, only dogs smell people, I just..."

Jia Rong: "What?"

Xiao Xiao: "Just walk around the pubs and teahouses along the road to the Imperial Examination Hall and you'll find it. Anyway, I know that the master will definitely not go into a brothel."

"Haha."

"You still understand me."

"But...what about the intelligence personnel we carefully assembled?" Jia Rong suddenly asked.

Xiao Xiao thought for a moment and said, "According to Master's instructions, we have all gone out to sell salt and honeycomb coal all over the country. After deducting expenses, we have made quite a bit of money this year."

"That's right." Jia Rong said, "Continue to expand the scale and combine business with intelligence. Now the emperor is busy refining the elixir, and the new emperor is busy winning people's hearts. The Jinyiwei is temporarily dormant and useless. This is the best time. Don't forget to arrange a few people to go in now."

"After some time, when the new emperor has time, I guess he might use the Royal Guards again."

Of course, these are all Jia Rong's guesses.

"Okay, I get it."

Xiaoxiao nodded obediently.

Now Jia Rong controls more and more things, almost all over Daxia, both at home and abroad. It can be said that he is rich enough to rival a country.

There are even private soldiers at sea...

But Xiaoxiao didn't have any extra opinions on this. Having followed Jia Rong since she was a child, her heart was truly on Jia Rong. Even if Jia Rong rebelled now, she would join him in the rebellion without hesitation.

Of course, it is impossible for Jia Rong to rebel.

He just wants to be a junior cabinet minister.

As a junior cabinet minister, the first priority is to prevent problems before they occur.

Soon, the two returned home.

The entire Ningrong Street was covered with festive firecracker debris, and people were walking around with smiles on their faces.

The main gate of Ningguo Mansion was wide open, with a banner hanging in front of it: Congratulations to your son Jia Rong for winning the first place in the Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination and being listed in the imperial newspaper. From the gate to the main hall, the floor was covered with bright red silk, and at first glance it looked like a grand wedding.

Led by Lai Er, several servants wearing new clothes hurried forward and kowtowed in greeting.

"Congratulations, Master Rong, for winning the first prize."

"Welcome Master Rong back home."

Jia Rong waved his hand: "Okay, get up quickly, I didn't bring any red envelopes."

Lai Er stood up and chuckled, "We all benefited from the great gift of Wenquxing, and we have already received red envelopes." "Haha."

Jia Rong smiled slightly and suddenly asked, "How is the master doing recently?"

Lai Er whispered, "The master has taken a lot of elixirs recently, but they are not very effective, and also..."

Having said this, Lai Er suddenly stopped talking.

Jia Rong's heart skipped a beat.

"how?"

Lai Er: "Fainted twice."

Jia Rong: “…”

Master, you have to hold on!
At least wait until I pass the imperial examination before you leave.

"I'll go check it out tomorrow and tell the master the good news."

"You should take good care of him today. The properties of the elixir may not be compatible with the master. Don't take it recently. Wait until next year when you find a better elixir recipe."

"it is good."

When Lai Er heard that Jia Rong had assigned him such an important task, he was overjoyed and hurriedly took people to Xuanzhen Temple.

Jia Rong returned home.

They went to the master's study first. Jia Jing skipped work today, which was a rare occasion. He did not go to the Cabinet Yamen, but had some drinks with Jia She. He was a little tipsy at this time.

"Master."

Jia Rong bowed respectfully.

Jia Jing looked at his eldest grandson and liked him more and more.

"Brother Rong is here, please sit down."

"You are now a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, and even a provincial champion. You don't need to be so polite in the future."

Jia Rong insisted: "Etiquette cannot be abolished."

Jia Jing was even more satisfied after hearing this, and smiled and said, "It's up to you. You won the first place in the imperial examination today, which really brought honor to our Duke's Mansion. Just tell me what you want. As long as I have it, I will give it to you."

Jia Rong said seriously, "My grandson doesn't want anything, I just hope that Grandpa can be healthy and live a long life."

Anyway, yours will be mine in the end.

As for Master Zhen...

Alas, no luck.

I'm probably going to be ahead of you.

Jia Jing looked at Jia Rong who was so humble and sighed slightly.

How could this grandson be so sensible and obedient? Even if we dragged a few famous ancient people here, they couldn't be compared with his grandson.

Is this what is called: the benevolence of the ancients?

"Grandpa, I heard that the old master is not feeling well. I want to go to Xuanzhen Temple to see him tomorrow."

Jia Jing nodded.

"Well, let's go."

"I didn't tell you before because I was afraid it would delay your studies. Your master is stubborn and has swallowed cinnabar... I'm afraid he won't have much time left. You should be prepared!"

Jia Rong: “…”

Jia Jing added: "That's why I want to arrange a marriage for you as soon as possible, otherwise it will take another three years."

"I've already picked a date. The sixth day of December this year is a very good date. I just hope Ru Hai can come back by then. Even if he can't make it, I will reserve it for you."

He estimated that his son could only hold on for a few months at most, and if he was well taken care of, maybe half a year, so he found several famous doctors to watch over him day by day.

One reason is: after all, he is his own son. Even if he is a good-for-nothing, it is still sad to see an old man send off a young one.

The second reason is: If Jia Zhen can hold on for half a year, it will not affect his eldest grandson's imperial examination and palace examination.

At that time, you will first be selected as an official, then go home to mourn your father, and when you return after the three-year mourning period is over, you can be directly promoted one or two levels.

After talking for a while, Jia Rong saw that the master had drunk a lot of wine and was a little sleepy, so he immediately stood up, excused himself and left.

……

(End of this chapter)