The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 107 Dong Xiaoquan

Japanese?

There were actually Japanese people there?

When Lord Dong of Shuntian Prefecture received the message, Shen Ning also received the news that her own guards had rushed back with great speed.

"Grandma~"

When Rong-ge'er sensed that his grandmother's expression changed after hearing about the Japanese, and that she was lost in thought, he quickly called out to her.

"Hmm~"

Shen Ning snapped out of her daze and said, "Take him to the West Mansion and tell the old lady and the others."

Since Jia Min and the others are safe and sound, let's let them know in advance!

Shen Ning's mind is now filled with images of Japanese people.

What's so special about capturing a Japanese man alive?

Shen Ning took a long breath and then inhaled.

She needs to find a way to make this matter even bigger and bigger.

It must be enough to shake the imperial court and the countryside, so that everyone deeply hates the Japanese.

"Someone, take my invitation to Shuntian Prefecture and tell Lord Dong that I will visit him later."

With the two sides separated by the sea, it's definitely not feasible for the officials in the court to set their sights on the other side, given the reputation of Jiangnan suffering from Japanese pirates.

that……

Shen Ning paced back and forth in the room, and even after Madam You arrived, she still hadn't made up her mind.

"Mother~"

Madam You sensed something was wrong with her mother-in-law's expression. "It's so late, why are you going to Shuntian Prefecture..."

"Call Rong-ge'er back and have him come with me."

In any case, she had to persuade Lord Dong first.

He will be the chief judge in the case of Li Haifeng. Since Li Haifeng colluded with the Japanese pirates, he only needs to sentence Li Haifeng and the Japanese pirates to death.

But that would be too easy on them.

Shen Ning turned around again and said, "Someone, prepare the sedan chair. We'll go to the West Mansion first."

"Yes!"

The old women outside the courtyard acted swiftly.

Shen Ning turned to Madam You, "Don't worry, we might be back quite late, so we'll leave things at home to you."

"...Yes! Take care, Mother."

Lady You helped her into the sedan chair.

At this moment, Jia Zheng and his entourage were at Grandmother Jia's place, listening to the guards of the manor recount the day's great battle.

Jia Zheng's face was rather pale.

For a moment, he was actually glad that he hadn't gone to pick up his sister.

Unlike his older brother and Zhen'er, he didn't spend his childhood playing in the military camp.

He's never even been inside a military camp.

"Grandma, the eldest wife of the East Mansion has arrived."

"Please!"

Grandmother Jia's heart was still pounding.

Fortunately, Madam Shen sent Zhen'er and her eldest son to pick her up; otherwise, who knows what would have happened to Min'er.

"Auntie!"

Shen Ning first bowed to Grandmother Jia, "You know about Li Haifeng's collusion with the Japanese pirates, right? I'd like to borrow my second brother to accompany me and Rong-ge'er to the Shuntian Prefecture government office."

what?
Jia Zheng was so shocked he almost jumped up. He looked anxiously at his mother.

"What are you doing at the Shuntian Prefecture government office so late?"

Grandmother Jia didn't care who she borrowed from; she just didn't understand why she went to the Shuntian Prefecture government office.

"The Li family can only rely on these Japanese pirates."

Shen Ning reversed the order of importance, "Although Li Haifeng has been arrested, Auntie doesn't think that's the end of the matter, does she?"

Jia Mu: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Unlike Grandmother Jia, who seemed lost in thought, all the masters and maids present changed color.

Why did the two branches of the Jia family keep guards?

The initial purpose was not to send talent to the military so that they could control it.

Rather, the Jia family, as the founding fathers of the Great Zhao Dynasty, were feared by all sides.

From the remnants of various factions of the former Ming Dynasty to the remnants of the Qing Dynasty, all had suffered at the hands of the Jia family's first two generations of leaders. Of course, their attempts to assassinate, poison, and kill the Jia family never ceased.

Otherwise, Jiao Da wouldn't have been able to find the person who wanted to kill Jia Zhen so easily.

Grandmother Jia knew what things were like before, so she didn't pay much attention to the Japanese pirates' designs on the Jia family. However, Madam Xing, Li Wan, and even Jia Zheng were all very afraid.

Jia Zheng, in particular, was so well protected that he never knew the dangers outside.

First, the Jia family was wrongly accused, Jia Zhen was assassinated, and then his sister and nephew almost died...

When Grandmother Jia was no longer able to suppress any news that might frighten him, nor could she protect him, he could only be afraid like any ordinary woman.

“Those Japanese pirates are lawless. If they dare to attack the capital region once, they will dare to attack a second, a third, or even countless times.”

"...You want Lord Dong to severely punish those Japanese pirates?"

“Since the Ming Dynasty, the Jiangnan region has suffered greatly from Japanese pirates.”

Shen Ning tried her best to organize her words, "Although things have calmed down a bit now, just look at the Li family and you'll know that they've just gone into hiding and found a better way to make money."

She paused for a moment, then said, "When the Li family attacked our family, they were in the shadows while we were in the open. Although the Li family has been wiped out, there are so many powerful families in Jiangnan. Who knows, one day, many enemies who are colluding with the Japanese might come after us."

"..."

Grandmother Jia finally became troubled.

"Auntie, instead of passively taking a beating, we should take the initiative."

Shen Ning added, "I think Brother Zheng should accompany me and Rong-ge to sound out Lord Dong's opinion."

Back in Jiangnan, she wanted to help the Emperor seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack.

"……become!"

Grandmother Jia glanced at her second son, wanting to express her disdain, but since he was the only adult male in the mansion, she said, "Zheng'er, you accompany your sister-in-law."

Unfortunately, Zhu'er went to study at the Imperial Academy again. Otherwise, he could have not only broadened his horizons by accompanying her, but also gained face with Lord Dong.

"Yes!"

Jia Zheng dared not refuse.

His mother was no longer as protective of him as before, and he dared not offend his sister-in-law...

"Sister-in-law, why don't I come with you?"

Wang suddenly spoke up, wanting to join in.

"It's not like we're getting into a brawl, what are you doing here?"

Shen Ning didn't give her a pleasant look and stood up directly, "Send for a carriage to the Shuntian Prefecture government office."

……

At the Shuntian Prefecture government office, Lord Dong had just finished inquiring about all the battle details from the messenger when he received Shen Ning's invitation.

Because he was the same age as Jia Jing, he once visited the Ningguo Mansion with his wife.

He had a very good impression of Madam Shen.

now……

"Please inform me immediately that Madam Shen has arrived, and I will personally greet her."

Jia Jing was at his wit's end, but everything Madam Shen did after returning home was truly excellent.

Lord Dong felt he could help with anything that wasn't too difficult.

In his opinion, Madam Shen was at most using Li Haifeng to intimidate the Jia family from all sides.

Such a family of founding heroes, without a leader who can stand up, is indeed easily targeted by former enemies.

As the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, Dong Xiaoquan was willing to provide assistance within his means. Therefore, when Shen Ning came with Jia Zheng and Rong'er, they were warmly received by him.

The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was in charge of five prefectures and twelve counties in the surrounding area. He was a powerful third-rank official, and his smiling face made Jia Zheng feel flattered.

As a scion of a distinguished family, Jia Zheng had met many officials in his youth, including the retired emperor, who had spoken to him in a gentle tone.

During the New Year's banquets at the palace, his family never missed a single one. There was nothing he couldn't attend, only things he was too lazy to go to.

However, his uncle and father passed away one after another, and his elder brother Jing did not even inherit the official position. He, who was granted an official position, originally thought that the Jia family's favor was still there. But he did not expect that he would sit on the sidelines of the Ministry of Works until now. Not to mention that the palace banquets had nothing to do with his family anymore, he had almost never seen the smiling face of his superiors again.

When did Jia Zheng ever try to please anyone?

When his uncle and father were alive, others were the ones who had to fawn over him.

But they are gone, and the world's warmth and coldness are worlds apart.

Jia Zheng also had his own pride, so he could only become more and more observant of etiquette each day, so that the adults above could not find fault with him.

He didn't know how to do things, and he didn't know how to please others.

However, he harbored resentment and a sense of injustice, which led him to seek a shortcut: to send Yuan Chun into the palace and bring another kind of wealth and status to the Jia family.

He lost.

His anger, shame, and fear at his defeat...

During this period, Jia Zheng was in a state of confusion and self-doubt, but he had no way to break out of the predicament, so he could only stay at home and wait for his fate to decide. Unexpectedly, this treacherous trip to Shuntian Prefecture yielded unexpected results.

"Lord Dong is too kind." Jia Zheng's eyes seemed to overflow with gratitude. "Today..." He glanced at his sister-in-law and Rong'er, thinking that since they were being so polite, they shouldn't be too pushy.

However, Shen Ning, who had already sat down, said, "We are here today to discuss the matter of the Li family's collusion with the Japanese pirates."

"I guessed so."

Dong Xiaoquan's voice was cheerful, "Madam Shen, please rest assured, Lord Jia, as I am in this position, I will certainly do my duty. Li Haifeng and that Japanese pirate will at least be executed immediately. Their heads... if nothing unexpected happens, will be displayed all the way from the capital to Jiangnan."

Perhaps we can catch a few more Japanese pirates along the way.

Dong Xiaoquan was very willing to hear the case and was particularly interested in Li Haifeng and the Japanese man with the missing arm.

The Li family's wealth went to the national treasury, but it was all distributed before it could be transported out of Jiangnan.

Dong Xiaoquan was also hoping to uncover more hidden treasures from Li Haifeng and the Japanese, so as to earn some more for the emperor and the national treasury.

"I see... thank you!"

When Jia Zheng bowed respectfully, Rong-ge'er, who was standing next to Shen Ning, was also filled with gratitude.

"You're welcome what?"

Seeing that Madam Shen also bowed to express her gratitude, Dong Xiaoquan was very satisfied, saying, "This is simply my duty."

"Lord Dong!"

Shen Ning sat up straight, maintaining a smile on her face. "Actually, before coming here, I had considered that the adults would make this judgment, so my purpose in coming here is not entirely to kill Li Haifeng and that Japanese man."

"Oh?"

Dong Xiaoquan asked in surprise, "Then Madam Shen is..."

"I hope that you can use them to uncover all those who are colluding with the Japanese pirates."

Dong Xiaoquan: "..."

He hadn't expected Madam Shen to be so magnanimous.

He also had this idea in mind; the Emperor also wanted to expand the Li family's case further.

The reason they remain cautious is simply because they don't want to benefit others.

"I think the prison in Shuntian Prefecture can help you dig out everything you want to find out from Li Haifeng."

Shen Ning maintained her smile, "And I've heard that during the Ming Dynasty, Japan had another nickname: the Silver Islands."

"..."

"..."

In an instant, even the two constables standing by the door lowered their breathing.

Silver Islands?
That refers to having a lot of money, right?
But if we're going to fight, we'll fight across the sea...

"The mighty Zhao Kingdom, I think many people look down on that Japan which is almost entirely composed of islands, but Lord Dong, learn from the mistakes of the past and be a guide for the future."

Shen Ning didn't care what others thought of her. "Why were the Qing army able to enter the pass? Besides military issues, the Taizu Emperor clearly pointed out that the eight great families of Shanxi were the gravediggers of the Ming Dynasty. Now that the Great Zhao has taken precautions against the north, are those Tartars the only ones coveting our Great Zhao?"
From the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty until now, the scourge of Japanese pirates has never ceased.

"Lord Dong, why do you say those Japanese soldiers repeatedly try to plunder the southeast?"

Dong Xiaoquan: "..."

He was able to rise to the position of Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture on his own, so he was certainly not an incompetent or unwise person.

During the Ming Dynasty's golden age, all nations paid tribute to it.

But when the previous light is weak...

"The situation in Jiangnan is very complicated."

The situation in the court is also complicated. With two emperors in power and the Prince of Jin eyeing the court with predatory intent, the emperor has to think carefully before doing anything.

If we don't move, the emperor can wait patiently. He is still young, and he will be able to wait until the day comes.

But if anything goes wrong... it will be blamed on the Emperor.

"I am aware of Madam Shen's meaning and will certainly give it careful consideration."

"No!"

Shen Ning shook her head, "My lord, you still don't understand what I mean."

"Oh?"

Dong Xiaoquan was willing to listen to her finish.

He regretted that she was a woman; if it were a man, he would have certainly invited her to his study for a long, intimate talk.

"I am all ears!"

As he spoke, Dong Xiaoquan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Treat others in their own way!"

What do you mean?
Dong Xiaoquan didn't quite understand.

Shen Ning said, "If the Japanese can come to our Great Zhao, then the people of our Great Zhao can naturally go there as well." A special light flashed in her eyes. "As long as we can occupy an island there, it will be considered as expanding the territory of our Great Zhao. I think the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor will not be stingy with a title."

"..."

"..."

In the living room, everyone's breathing seemed to become heavier.

Dong Xiaoquan was a little thirsty, but he didn't want to serve tea.

He was trying hard to think about the problem.

The people of Dazhao fled to Japan, seized an island, and the emperor bestowed upon them a title, providing them with troops and provisions. From there, they could continuously bring back what they desired.

oops~
Dong Xiaoquan was slightly agitated.

Even if the people of Dazhao cannot occupy the islands of Japan, they can still infiltrate Jiangnan like the Japanese pirates...

With the people of Jiangnan suffering and the Great Zhao needing to guard against the chaos caused by Japanese pirates... Dong Xiaoquan naturally chose to let the Japanese cause chaos.

At this moment, he began to understand what Madam Shen meant.

In Jiangnan, there are countless families like the Li family who colluded with Japanese pirates.

There are some things that are difficult for the imperial court to do, but easy for ordinary people to do.

They seized leverage over certain individuals, took them hostage, and then offered them small incentives to extract benefits from Japan for the Great Zhao Dynasty…

Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—which of them didn't want to bring glory to their ancestors and secure a high position for their wives and children?
Having thought it through, Dong Xiaoquan asked, "Madam Shen, have you considered having your son report your words to the imperial court today?"

"...What I just said were some of my shallow opinions in the heat of the moment."

Shen Ning gave a wry smile. "My Zhen'er... he went to pick someone up and hasn't come home yet. By the time he gets back, his anger may have subsided, and I'll just have to keep these words to myself again."

Dong Xiaoquan: "..."

The complexity in his eyes was replaced by gentleness.

The Jia family is unlikely to achieve anything further in the military, so it's surprising that Madam Shen would come over at this time and say such things to him...

He felt both touched and saddened.

"Does Madam Shen wish for me to report this to the Emperor?"

"nature!"

Shen Ning sighed: "The officials are in court and know more about Jiangnan and the Japanese pirates than I do. I think that if we can borrow some of their ideas, we can do more and better things."