The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 108 Drawing the Sword
The carriage moved slowly forward.

Rong-ge hesitated for a while before finally saying, "Grandmother, do you think Lord Dong will go to the palace overnight, or write a memorial overnight?"

When they left, Lord Dong personally saw them off, and it seemed that he was particularly interested in his grandmother's suggestion.

"..."

Shen Ning remained silent for a moment.

She hoped to enter the palace that very night.

Many things require acting impulsively.

But the retired emperor is still alive.

Even if Lord Dong enters the palace overnight, the Emperor will certainly have many things to consider.

He first needed the support of the retired emperor, but the retired emperor... had long lost his ambition.

Shen Ning sighed softly, "That's not something we can consider."

In this era, there's actually very little she can do.

But even if it's just a little... she wanted to do something.

"Have your men investigate tomorrow to find out which missionaries are in the capital!"

Missionaries who could travel across the ocean were all quite capable.

"You said your grandmother invited them to the clan school to tell you about the outside world?"

"Okay!"

Rong Ge'er nodded vigorously, "Although they look a bit strange, it doesn't stop us from being curious about them."

"..."

Shen Ning frowned slightly. "When you go to their country someday, they might say that you look strange."

“They live too far away from us, I don’t want to go.”

Rong-ge shook his head, not wanting to go to such a country. "But Japan, I want to visit it when I grow up."

He wanted to occupy an island, just like his ancestors, and earn a prestigious title for the Jia family.

"..."

Shen Ning patted her grandson's hand, "When you grow up, you can go to Japan and help your grandmother with one more thing."

"You say."

"Erect a monument and record the name of every island you see."

"……it is good!"

Although he didn't know why his grandmother wanted to do this, it wasn't a big deal. Rong-ge'er hesitated for only a moment before agreeing, "Grandmother, do you think that once the tombstone is erected, it will belong to us?"

"It can be said like this."

"What if it's an island that can't be inhabited?"

"Just because it's uninhabitable doesn't mean there's nothing in that sea, right?"

Shen Ning smiled, "Besides, an uninhabitable island doesn't necessarily mean it's barren. There might be a lot of mineral resources on it. It's just that people who go out to sea don't know them for various reasons, so they keep missing out."

This?
That's quite possible.

Jia Rong suddenly realized that his grandmother was even more capable than his grandfather, considering things... so far ahead.

“In Journey to the West, there are four Dragon Kings of the Seas. Rong-ge’er, do you think those four seas belong to our Great Zhao?”

"……Calculate!"

Jia Rong hesitated for only a moment before nodding.

Although the late Ming Dynasty suffered greatly from war, no country at sea dared to fight them.

Since the Great Zhao dynasty inherited the former Ming dynasty, the former Ming's maritime territory naturally belonged to them.

"Then it's over."

Shen Ning leaned closer to the soft wall and said, "When you grow up, draw all the seas that belong to us on the map of the Great Zhao, and mark every single island in it."

This is better than any title.

"If you grow up but can't go to sea, then ask someone to do it for you."

"Grandma, I will grow up soon."

Rong-ge'er has never left the capital before.

He is now only afraid that when he grows up, the Jia family will still have to avoid suspicion, so he cannot join the army or go to Japan to occupy the islands.

"is it?"

Shen Ning smiled, "Then Grandmother will wait."

Children all wish they could grow up quickly.

But when you grow up... you'll realize how wonderful it was to be a child.

"I'll have Jiao Da teach you how to swim later."

Speaking of Jiao Da, he was truly a man of many talents.

Shen Ning thought for a moment, "Never mind, he's getting old. There should be several people in the guards who can teach swimming. You can learn from them." She was still worried, "In daily life, not only should you pay more attention to Jiao Da's health, but you should also tell everyone else to pay attention."

"Grandson knows."

Jia Rong nodded vigorously, "Manager Chen also shows it to him every time he takes your pulse."

He and his father are both very attentive.

"He just doesn't like seeing doctors and always has to argue about it."

“Young and old, next time Manager Chen comes to ask for a pulse diagnosis, you all coax him and don’t argue with him.”

Shen Ning said, "This time, the Li family colluded with the Japanese pirates, and your father was able to go forward so boldly because the guards trained by Jiao Da were as fierce as elite soldiers."

"My grandson knows."

The grandfather and grandson chatted quietly on one side, while Jia Zheng, in the carriage behind, remained silent the whole way.

My sister-in-law has a silver tongue; she can make black seem white.

He was clearly worried that the Japanese pirates might use someone else to retaliate against his family, but he managed to leave Lord Dong completely bewildered.

but……

The thought that his sister-in-law actually wanted to retaliate in kind made Jia Zheng's brows furrow involuntarily.

The Great Zhao is a land of etiquette; how could it do what the Japanese pirates did?
The people there haven't offended the Great Zhao.

My sister-in-law is like this...

Jia Zheng couldn't help but rub his temples.

He dared not openly contradict his sister-in-law.

Moreover, judging from Lord Dong's expression, he also supports his sister-in-law's point of view.

such……

Jia Zheng sighed. He was no good at military affairs!

However, he couldn't, but his brother-in-law could.

Or he should go find his brother-in-law and talk to him about what happened today.

Although Jia Zheng was somewhat dissatisfied with his brother-in-law after the previous incident involving the startled horse, he also knew that his brother-in-law was still the biggest help to the second branch of the family outside.

He needs to get better; he needs to regain control of the Beijing garrison.

Or perhaps... he could invite the Marquis of Xinping to his home and discuss the Japanese pirates with him.

When his younger sister was attacked, his elder brother, Lian'er, and Zhen'er from the East Mansion all went to the scene. As the future son-in-law of the Jia family, Marquis Xinping should at least come home to inquire about the situation.

With that thought, Jia Zheng was satisfied. He closed his eyes and staggered back to his residence.

However, this night was destined to be anything but peaceful.

The emperor, who was about to rest in Kunning Palace after a busy night, heard that the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture had come to the palace overnight. He thought that some earth-shattering case or major event had occurred, so he hurriedly put his boots back on and rushed to the front court.

Upon hearing that Lin Ruhai's family had been attacked, he couldn't help but slam his hand on the table.

Seeing that he was about to start criticizing, Lord Dong quickly added, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. Lord Lin's family is fine. Since they haven't returned to the capital for many years, the Jia family has been paying close attention to their visit. Jia She and Jia Zhen personally led people to welcome them. On the way, they discovered that the group of Japanese pirates were attacking them and immediately killed them."

emperor:"……"

real or fake?

Lin Ruhai was doing very well in Jiangnan, and he had to protect his family members when they came to Beijing.

Moreover, Jia Lian was among them.

The emperor was counting on him to understand the salt fields.

"Since there's nothing wrong, why are you disturbing me in the palace in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Doesn't this guy surnamed Dong know he's still young?
I wonder if he had an empress or a concubine?

Didn't he know that having children was also an important factor in stabilizing his throne?
"Your Majesty, how can you speak of me like that?"

Dong Xiaoquan looked speechless. "Your subject enters the palace..." He paused and looked around.

The emperor waved his hand speechlessly, dismissing the palace servants. Soon, Eunuch Liu and the others withdrew, and even the palace doors were closed for them.

"Your Majesty, I received a letter from Madam Shen of Ningguo Prefecture today," Dong Xiaoquan said. "She has provided me with a plan to deal with the Japanese pirates."

oh?
The emperor raised an eyebrow. "Tell me about it."

Jia Jing was very talented.

However, the Jia family did not allow him to join the army.

However, even though Jia Jing did not join the army, when he stood in the Beijing garrison, most of the officers there would first bow and greet him.

For so many years, Jia Jing has only stayed with Madam Shen, and even when she confiscated all his private money, he didn't dare to say anything.

The emperor believed that Lady Shen was also very talented, so he was quite interested at this moment.

But upon hearing this, he himself got involved.

Liu Gonggong and the others were so busy waiting outside that they were falling asleep, but the palace doors still hadn't opened.

The emperor and Dong Xiaoquan even produced a map.

They all wanted to make good use of the major case involving the Li family's collusion with the Japanese pirates, suppress the major salt merchant families, and add more silver to the national treasury.

The retired emperor clearly had the same idea, but he still wanted him to be at the forefront.

The emperor was willing to do it, and wanted to do it.

As long as the money is used for the right purposes and not taken by the Prince of Jin or any of his brothers for private purposes, he doesn't mind suffering a little hardship.

But now...

If we could defeat a few enemy forces, and then help a few obedient ones to atone for their sins, and use the money in our hands to recruit soldiers and buy horses in Japan, that would seem like a good idea.

The emperor was not afraid that those people would never return to Dazhao.

Fallen leaves return to their roots.

Moreover, as long as they achieve results, he will not hesitate to reward them, allowing them to bring glory to their ancestors and secure honors for their wives and children.

"Copper from Japan is a valuable commodity."

The emperor took a sip of tea that had long since gone cold. "This year, we imported just one million catties from there."

Dazhao also has copper, but while mining copper is easy, transporting it is difficult.

It would be better to buy them from Japan.

The copper there is of better quality, including some truly exquisite pieces of pure copper.

“It is hateful that the Tokugawa Shogunate, relying on its copper, makes increasingly higher demands on my Great Zhao year after year.”

From porcelain, silk, and tea to ironware... the demand is increasing.

"This plan... is very good, excellent."

The emperor paced back and forth in the palace, when he suddenly saw the hourglass. He paused for a moment and said, "Alright, you can stay in your duty room tonight! After the morning court session tomorrow, come with me to see the retired emperor."

Father is getting old; we mustn't disturb him now.

The emperor suppressed his thoughts, fearing that he might act impulsively without fully considering the matter.

"As for Madam Shen... since she doesn't want to become famous, then you, my dear minister, will take on that responsibility for now."

If we were to retaliate in kind, I'd likely be impeached and criticized by some hypocritical individuals.

The emperor looked at Dong Xiaoquan, "If there are any ignorant people who dare to impeach me..."

"Your Majesty, the Li family is colluding with the Japanese pirates. They have destroyed three of our salt fields in Jiangnan." Dong Xiaoquan blew his beard. "This time, the Jia family will transport the corpses of those Japanese pirates to the capital. Let them see them for three days. If they still don't open their eyes and talk about benevolence and righteousness, and about caring for other people's people, then find another reason to demote them to Jiangnan to experience the power of the Japanese pirates."

Even without Japanese pirates, they could find some people to impersonate them.

Nowadays, both merchants and officials in Jiangnan are very adept at making changes.

Dong Xiaoquan was the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture and also held a position in the Ministry of Justice, so he was well aware of just how corrupt Jiangnan had become.

If we don't take action, it will end up like the Ming Dynasty, with Japanese pirates running rampant.

"I—grant."

The emperor looked at Old Man Dong and couldn't help but laugh.

……

The next day, at the bustling city gate, people queuing to enter the city saw a long queue rushing in from behind.

The stench of blood... even the city gate guard couldn't help but rush over, asking, "Who goes there?"

"Hand over the case!"

The clerk who had accompanied them from Tianjin quickly rode forward on horseback, brandished his token, and said, "Make way immediately."

Before he finished speaking, four horse-drawn carriages carrying the corpses drove up first.

Everyone was stunned.

This this……

The stench of blood was so strong it was almost suffocating.

When a scholar saw that the Third Master with the bulging eyes still had a pair of fierce eyes wide open, his heart trembled, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed on the spot.

"this way please!"

The gatekeeper was startled and quickly asked them to leave first.

The people obediently made way.

"Steward Lin!"

The clerk didn't leave immediately. Instead, he turned to Lin Zhixiao, who was also riding over on horseback and looked serious. "Do you think you'd like to come with us to Shuntian Prefecture?"

"nature!"

The person in charge does this job.

Lin Zhixiao nodded.

"cough~"

The clerk coughed again, "Such a shocking case, Lord Dong must have many questions, about the heroes who participated in killing these Japanese pirates..."

"Let's go, brothers!"

Huo Qi and four other guards rode forward on horseback, saying, "Don't worry, we won't make things difficult for you, sir."

"In that case... please!"

After bowing, the official made a gesture of invitation.

His polite manner prompted the surrounding people to crane their necks and take a closer look at the convoy behind him.

Oh my god, so many people have blood on them.

People couldn't help but wonder whose carriage was being protected by these people.

"Look, that carriage has the Jia family's insignia on it."

"I remember now, isn't that Steward Lin the steward of the Rongguo Mansion?"

"Yeah."

"My God, how could the Jia family be fighting with the Japanese pirates? Did we hear wrong?"

"Was the Japanese pirates mentioned? I didn't hear that."

Those who were far away certainly didn't hear it.

"I didn't hear it either."

Among them were those who were so shocked they forgot to listen.

"Let's go, let's go to Shuntian Prefecture, they'll definitely know there."

Many people who had left the city stopped going and chose to go to Shuntian Prefecture to see the excitement.

How many carriages of dead people were there?

And there was that mule cart with the middle sealed off tightly...

This is something big!

Those who were timid, fearing that something might happen and affect them, also went with the carriages carrying the corpses.

Everything I saw along the way was astonishing.

Those corpses were piled up on the carriage; it was terrifying.

The group quickly split up, one heading towards Shuntian Prefecture and the other towards Ningrong Street.

At this moment, everyone who noticed this couldn't help but look more closely in the direction of Ningrong Street.

The Jia family... they're up to something big again!

No one knew that it was Jia Min's idea to leave the corpses piled up on the bare car floor without any cover.

Ever since she learned that the Li family dared to plot against the Jia family, she felt that the Jia family needed to do something big to shock the world.

These Japanese pirates are the weapons the Jia family presents to the world.

Anyone who saw the dead bodies of those Japanese pirates would surely wonder if they should risk their lives to fight the Jia family again.

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