Red Mansion: Incense and God Road, starting from the City God of Shenjing

Chapter 176: Court Meeting! Shocking Calculation!
In a quiet teahouse not far from Prince Yi Zhong's Mansion.

Two middle-aged Confucian scholars were sitting in the elegant room by the window.

He chuckled as he watched the scene happening above the palace.

"Prince Yi Zhong is so easy to exploit."

"With just a little provocation, he will be completely at odds with Jia Cong."

A middle-aged scholar raised his hand to refill the tea cup for the person opposite him.

"Brother Wenshan, there is one thing I don't understand. Although Prince Yi Zhong has some power left by Prince Li."

"Compared with Jia Cong..."

Yang Zhaoyun was a little confused.

The Yang family was originally an ordinary wealthy businessman in Beijing. They were engaged in cloth business and opened several cloth shops.

It was only because of the daughter's appearance and natural charm that she was taken into the mansion by Prince Yi Zhong.

Outsiders call her a concubine, but in fact she is just a plaything.

Taking advantage of Prince Yi Zhong's influence in Jiangnan, he was able to buy high-quality Jiangnan silk at a low price, which enabled him to expand his cloth business.

However, as the eight major salt merchants were eliminated by Jia Cong, Prince Yi Zhong's power in Jiangnan was also eradicated.

The Yang family was suddenly reduced to their original form.

At this time, faced with the recruitment of the giant Kong family in Qufu, he quickly climbed up.

With this scene today.

"Prince Yi Zhong's influence is naturally insignificant, but he is the most beloved grandson of the retired emperor."

Kong Yunshan, who was from a branch of the Kong family and was responsible for handling the Kong family's affairs in Shenjing City, glanced at Yang Zhaoyun.

There was a flash of disdain in his eyes.

"The royal family's background is not as simple as you think."

"As long as the royal family can distance themselves from Jia Cong, this deal will be worth it."

"The Duke of Yansheng will be coming to the capital soon. It's a good opportunity to settle all the old and new grudges with that Jia Cong kid."

"This is the gift that Brother Yang and I present to Duke Yansheng!"

"Brother Yunshan, be careful with your words. There are ears on the other side of the wall."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhaoyun hurriedly reminded him in a low voice.

The Kong family of Qufu was a huge family, so they were naturally not afraid of Jia Cong.

But the Yang family's financial resources are not enough for Jia Cong to make trouble.

"Be cautious?"

"Hahaha!"

Kong Wenshan laughed when he heard this.

"Do you think Jia Cong can't guess who is plotting against him?"

"This is a conspiracy!"

"So what if he guessed it? Can Jia Cong still apologize to Prince Yi Zhong and humble himself?"

After saying that, he stood up, smiled, shook his head and turned to leave.

But he no longer paid any attention to Yang Zhaoyun, with whom he had just addressed him as a brother.

First he schemed to use Prince Yi Zhong, and then he offended Jia Cong.

Do you really think that the Yang family can see the sunrise tomorrow morning?
If he can backstab Prince Yi Zhong today, he will backstab the Kong family tomorrow.

A tool that is no longer of use value.

Abandon when it’s time to abandon.

……

Prince Yizhong's Mansion

"Jia Cong, you are bullying me too much! You are bullying me too much!"

"I am a dignified prince, a descendant of a royal family, and the future..."

"How can you enter and exit through the dog hole?"

As soon as he returned to the study, the furious Prince Yi Zhong started smashing things.

Until most of the valuable and expensive furnishings in the study were smashed.

Only then did things calm down a little.

A middle-aged scholar who had been watching coldly from the sidelines finally spoke up when he saw this.

"Your Majesty, as an emperor, you must be tolerant and open to the world, and your heart must be open to all rivers."

"We should take the kingly way as the main principle and the hegemonic way as the auxiliary principle, and act in a dignified and majestic manner."

"Although underhanded tactics may bring temporary benefits, they are not acceptable in public."

"A little impatience can ruin a big plan. This time, Your Majesty was impulsive."

"Marquis Jing'an is a vindictive person. We are not strong enough now, so we should take the long view. Why would we provoke him now and lose face?"

The middle-aged Confucian scholar persuaded earnestly.

"Hey!"

Prince Yi Zhong sighed and glanced at the left assistant of the Zhanshi Mansion, who was once under the command of the crown prince.

After the prince's defeat, he entered the Prince Yi Zhong's mansion and later became a great scholar.

All these years, it was thanks to the other party who had been working hard to plan for me.

"Mr. Bai, this king knows these principles."

"Tolerate? Is there any room for this king to tolerate?"

"Last month, the Emperor summoned me to the palace. Mr. Bai, do you know what the Emperor said to me?"

"Prince title! Hereditary and unchangeable! Stay in Yunnan forever!"

"What a great idea to keep Yunnan forever. Do you really think that I can't see that the founding lineage is destined to move most of its forces to Korea?"

"If I agree, I can still be enfeoffed in Yunnan while Grandfather Emperor is still alive!"

"If one day... my fourth uncle truly holds power, will Yunnan, the southern gateway of the dynasty, still be in my hands?"

"Where will I be transferred to? Jiaozhi? Laos? Siam? Or even Java?"

"You are a noble descendant of the royal family. Do you think I will dominate among the barbarians?"

……

"This..." Mr. Bai frowned upon hearing this, obviously not expecting the situation to have become so bad.

The decision of the retired emperor undoubtedly cut off the possibility of Prince Yi Zhong ascending the throne by more than half.

"Why didn't Your Majesty explain this matter to your subordinates earlier?"

"What's the point of saying it?"

"You know what kind of personality Grandpa Huang has."

"Don't you know that the Kong family is behind this?"

"Humph, what a Yang family, you are such an ungrateful wolves that can never be tamed!"

"I have no way out. I might as well throw everything into the towel. It doesn't matter if I lose face or get used by others. As long as I can bring down Jia Cong."

"It's too early to tell who will take over the throne in the end!"

Prince Yi Zhong said with a sneer.

"The prince has finally grown up!" After hearing this, Mr. Bai sighed and a look of relief appeared on his face.

He bowed deeply and said.

"I failed the imperial examination three times, but it was Your Highness who promoted me."

"No matter what, I will live and die with you, my Lord."

"Even if it costs my life, I will do it!"

"Sir, why are you like this?"

"How could this king not know the master's loyalty?"

"If one day, I gain the throne, I will definitely let you serve as prime minister!"

Prince Yi Zhong hurried forward and helped Mr. Bai up.

Promised without hesitation.

"The Yang family is so ruthless and betrayed me. Sir, send someone to wipe out their entire family tonight."

After the two of them conspired for a while, Prince Yi Zhong said casually.

"I understand, but what about Concubine Yang?"

"Humph, what Concubine Yang, she's nothing but a plaything."

Prince Yi Zhong sneered.

"If it weren't for her good looks..."

"Tell someone to give her a cup of wine, and then we can go on the journey together."

"This king is kind and will let her family go in peace."

"I obey my orders."

……

Hou Mansion
"Prince Yi Zhong..."

In the study, Jia Cong thought quietly, then asked with a chuckle.

"Sister Bao, where does this Yi Zhong County Prince have the courage to provoke me at this time?"

"The Emperor has been staying in the Huangji Palace recently and has not interfered in state affairs for more than a month."

"It's nothing more than finding a backer or an ally."

Baochai was behind Jia Cong, gently massaging his shoulders with her bare hands.

"Cong'er, are you saying that the Kong family is going to take action?"

Jia Cong nodded slightly when he heard this.

Before Jia Cong showed his talents, Prince Yi Zhong was considered by court officials to be the most likely heir to the throne in the future.

In the eyes of many ministers, his chances of ascending the throne were higher than that of Emperor Shunde who had already ascended the throne.

Such a person!

Maybe there are character flaws.

You can be irritable and short-sighted!
But the only thing that is impossible is stupidity!
Otherwise, how could he have inherited Prince Li's political legacy in the court and won over a large number of court officials.

Anyone who thinks that others are stupid is the real fool.

"It's about time now."

"Cong'er, what are you going to do?" "It's nothing more than countering the opponent's moves. In Shenjing City, even if the Kong family has ten points of strength, they can only use five points!"

"Those corrupt scholars are trying to use the Prince of Yi Zhong to alienate the relationship between me and the royal family. This seems like a plot by them."

"But why can he, Prince Yi Zhong, represent the royal family?"

"Since he has jumped out, let's deal with Prince Yi Zhong first."

"It just so happens that tomorrow is the New Moon and Full Moon..."

After pondering for a moment, Jia Cong shouted outside the study.

"Hou Jingyun!"

"My subordinate is here!"

Hou Jingyun heard the call and walked in from outside the door.

"You should immediately go to the various prefectures of the founding lineage, and..."

"Send them a message, tomorrow morning..."

"I obey my orders!"

After giving some instructions, Hou Jingyun took the order and left.

……

"Brother Cong!"

Not long after Hou Jingyun left, Daiyu rushed in with a happy look on her face.

Baochai calmly took a half step back, smiled faintly and nodded, greeting Daiyu.

"What's the matter, Daiyu? Are all the troupe here?"

Jia Cong took Daiyu's hand and held her in his arms.

"Hey, Brother Cong, Sister Bao is still here!"

Daiyu blushed.

Then he thought of the purpose of coming here and raised the letter in his hand.

"Dad just wrote to me, saying that His Majesty has granted him special permission to leave his post early and return to Beijing to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival."

“No need to wait until the end of the year.”

"Is Uncle Lin coming back?"

After hearing this, Jia Cong also felt happy.

"The letter said that we will reach the capital in three to five days."

"Uncle Lin was the Imperial Inspector of Salt in Jiangnan. He eliminated the eight major salt merchants, which was a great achievement."

"When he comes back, he will be appointed as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

"As a third-rank civil servant, the Ministry of Personnel will allocate a mansion to Uncle Lin. Uncle Lin's own wealth is enough to buy a large house."

"Sister Lin will have to move out by then."

Jia Cong said with a smile.

"what?"

When Daiyu heard this, her joy immediately disappeared.

After thinking for a moment, he spoke to Jia Cong with a serious expression.

"This this……"

"Brother Cong, no, I am at a critical juncture in my cultivation now. It is time to work hard and I need the formation in your house to gather spirits."

"Go tell daddy that I'm staying at his mansion now, and I'll come back when I successfully break through the third realm."

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong couldn't help but chuckle and tease.

"Then Sister Lin may not be able to go back. By the time you break through the third realm, you would have been married."

"Yes, Sister Lin will be Cong'er's mistress in the future, so she can stay as long as she wants."

"I...I don't care, Brother Cong, just go and tell Daddy."

Daiyu stood up, stamped her feet, and stared at Jia Cong.

"Okay, let Uncle Lin live with us when the time comes. There are Confucian and Taoist formations in the mansion, and sages chanting scriptures."

"It's also a great help to the great scholar. In my spare time, I can drink tea and discuss philosophy with Li Xuezhen. It's much better than living outside."

"Then it's settled."

"Sister Bao, let's go quickly. The troupe has already set up the stage."

"My second sister asked me to call you over."

When Daiyu heard this, a smile appeared on her face. She took Baochai's hand, said hello, and left.

Only Jia Cong could sigh.

This issue……

Consider the words you use.

It’s not that I don’t want Lin Ruhai to live in my house.

only……

The little cotton jacket is leaking to this extent.

One can imagine how Lin Ruhai felt.

Aren’t the innate gods afraid of their father-in-law’s wrath?

……

Early next morning
Outside the Meridian Gate of the Imperial Palace, today is the last day of the new moon and the full moon.

There are three types of court meetings in Daqian.

The first is the regular meeting, which is commonly known as the daily morning court.

Then came the New Moon and Full Moon Courts, which were held on the first and fifteenth day of every month and attended by officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital.

The last one is the grand court meeting.

Every year on major festivals such as New Year’s Day, Winter Solstice and Emperor’s Birthday, or court meetings held by the emperor’s special decree.

The rules and etiquette are more complicated.

Generally used to announce important events.

Take the Zhengdan Court as an example.

Civil and military officials, noble generals, and royal family members.

There were also high-ranking officials from other places who returned to Beijing to report on their work, as well as envoys from vassal states.

At most, the number of people can reach thousands.

The hour of Mao has not yet arrived!

Before the morning court session began, a large number of officials had already gathered in the square outside the Meridian Gate.

"Mr. Li Ge!"

"No matter what, Prince Yi Zhong is still the grandson of the retired emperor, and he is of royal blood..."

"How could we allow Marquis Jing'an to be humiliated like this? Now everyone in the palace can only enter and exit through the dog hole!"

The Minister of Revenue Chu Shen'an came before the Chief Minister of the Cabinet, Li Ge Lao, and whispered to instigate.

At this time, even if the officials were outside the Meridian Gate, they could see it clearly.

Above Prince Yi Zhong’s mansion, ten great ghosts and gods sat cross-legged in the air, surrounding the mansion in the center.

It seems that he is practicing with his eyes closed.

In fact, there is a portal expanded from the dog hole.

The remaining servants in Prince Yi Zhong's mansion tried to go out several times.

They will all be killed by the aura of the ten great ghosts and gods!

"Do you think Marquis Jing'an is arrogant and domineering?"

Elder Li, who was resting with his eyes closed, opened his eyes and glanced at Chu Shen'an with a smile.

After so many years in the cabinet, he has risen to the top position among civil servants.

Chu Shenan's little thoughts were seen through by Lord Li at a glance.

"This... Lord Li, I just think that Marquis Jing'an's actions are inappropriate."

Chu Shen'an shrank his neck slightly and spoke in a low voice.

"Shen An, I don't want to know why you said these things to me, and I don't want to know who told you to say these things."

"Since you and I have worked together for more than 20 years and have a good personal relationship, I will say a few more words to you."

"What Marquis Jing'an did was inappropriate, and he was also arrogant and domineering."

"It's not me who has the final say, nor is it you who has the final say, but the Lord has the final say!"

"do you understand?"

After saying this, Lord Li continued to close his eyes and rest, no longer paying any attention to Chu Shen'an.

Chu Shen'an, the Minister of Revenue, was proficient in mathematics and good at managing finances.

But when it comes to Confucian talent and the way of being an official, he is not as good as the other ministers.

To sum it up, they are focusing on small profits and have no sense of the overall situation.

Such a person is most suitable to guard the Ministry of Revenue's purse.

Hearing this, Chu Shen'an couldn't help but shudder.

Besiege the palace and humiliate the royal prince!
Any of the above would be considered a serious crime if it was committed by a court official, which would cause dissatisfaction among the emperor.

only……

What if the other party is Prince Yi Zhong who is eyeing the throne?

Would Emperor Shunde be dissatisfied?

Not only that!

Think back!
Jia Cong's past experiences and the destruction of various forces flashed through Chu Shen'an's mind.

It was only then that I discovered it!

Whether it is the ruined Prince Beijing’s Palace, the Yangzhou salt merchants, the Bailu Academy, or the Korean royal family!
And now to the Prince Yi Zhong's Mansion!
Behind this series of actions, which seem to be ruthless, domineering, even lawless, there is no bottom line.

Jia Cong always stood on the same side as Emperor Shunde!

But every time I can make huge profits afterwards!

How terrifying is this plan?
Here comes another chapter of 4,000 words!

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(End of this chapter)