The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 112 Sealed Up

Assistant Director of the Arsenal?
A fifth-rank official in the Ministry of War?

Upon hearing his son's words, Jia She's eyes reddened, and he dragged Jia Lian to the ancestral hall in the East Mansion to announce the good news to the ancestors.

Although the Armory is not directly involved in military affairs within the Ministry of War, its importance is undeniable. Now, the retired emperor and the emperor are discussing it together and have actually given such an important position to his son!
Jia She was overjoyed. When he saw Shen Ning and Jia Zhen arriving, he exclaimed, "Quick, Lian'er, kowtow to your aunt and thank her for worrying about you and finding you this opportunity."

This was an official position he never dared to dream of!

Judging from my sister's words, my sister-in-law sent Lian'er to Jiangnan to give him work and credit.

"Thank you so much, Auntie!"

Jia Lian indeed kowtowed respectfully.

"Get up quickly!"

Shen Ning wasn't surprised that Jia Lian had managed to get an official position. "In front of the ancestors, tell your aunt what you did in the palace today? Under what circumstances did the Emperor decide to let you enter the Armory?"

Jia Lian's position is too good.

Countless people in the imperial court have their eyes on this.

This piece of meat that everyone's scrambling for, suddenly ends up in the hands of an unexpected person. They might then team up to prevent you from getting a piece.

Shen Ning wanted to know the Emperor's attitude when he gave Jia Lian this official position, and analyzed whether it was good or bad from various clues.

"I had just sent Uncle Lin's invitation to the palace when a palace servant led me to Shou Kang Palace, saying that the Emperor was also with the Retired Emperor."

Jia Lian honestly recounted everything that had happened to him that day.

Everyone was initially delighted, but then the Prince of Jin appeared...

Especially when they heard that the Emperor Emeritus had punished Prince Jin by confining him to his residence for three months, not only Shen Ning, but even Jia She's expression changed.

"Sister-in-law!"

Jia She sought help from Shen Ning, "When Prince Jin said we killed so many Japanese pirates, was he thinking of telling the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor that our family..."

"The retired emperor ignored him, and the emperor ignored him too."

That's what she said, but Shen Ning felt very heavy-hearted.

Even though the Japanese pirates were clearly innocent, Prince Jin wanted to crush the Jia family to death. Her gun…

"Alright, you guys aren't meant to be mere accomplices if you have brains."

Shen Ning sighed inwardly, "Since we know there are some things that are not good, we should be even more careful." She had a headache. "Regarding the Armory, Brother She, you should be able to guide Lian'er. As long as she doesn't cheat or shirk her duties, and everything is done according to the rules, with the Emperor Emeritus's words in place, no one can find fault with her."

The Arsenal was in charge of allocating military supplies and weapons; in short, it was the army's logistics department.

From clothing and shoes to swords and firearms, everything was under the jurisdiction of the Armory.

"Let's go back and tell the old lady about Prince Jin."

Because of the Prince of Jin, the Jia and Zhen families no longer needed to maintain that ambiguous attitude.

"Zhen'er, come with me for a walk."

"Auntie!"

Thinking of something, Jia Lian quickly stepped forward and said, "Brother, the Japanese pirates' ships in Tongzhou..."

"Before you returned, I had already sent letters to Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Cities Military Command."

Jia Zhen was glad that the Prince of Nan'an had made him make a decision early. "Although Lord Dong is not here, Prefect Wang and the men from the Five Cities Garrison have already gone to collect the ships."

He also sent a letter to Xing'er in advance, requesting full cooperation with them in taking back the ship.

"Don't worry, our house is very clean."

He remembered the Prince of Jin.

Jia Zhen patted his younger brother on the shoulder, "You should do a good job as an official."

Although the Jia family had left the military, they still maintained many connections within the military.

The Emperor was pleased to have given Jia Lian such an important position as the Directorate of Military Arsenal.

At least when their people change equipment, they won't be repeatedly thwarted by others.

"Auntie, brother, I'll come see you again later."

The father and son thanked Shen Ning again and then went back excitedly to join the old lady and their family in their joy.

Jia Zhen, supporting Shen Ning, was still happy, "Mother, Lian Er Di's official position is definitely secure."

"...When you came back, did you see Jiao Da?"

Shen Ning wasn't happy at all.

"Didn't they say he was going to teach Shen Judao some secret kung fu, and that they would both shut themselves away at Ning'an Hall?"

Jia Zhen shared the jokes he had heard with her.

"Come with me into Ning'an Hall."

Shen Ning patted his hand and walked straight ahead.

Not long after, in the Ning'an Hall, where the door opened and then closed again, Jia Zhen saw seven wooden spears lined up in a row.

He watched Jiao Da's silent demonstration, listening to the 'click' sound, his face gradually turning pale.

"uncle!"

Jiao Da's old eyes fixed on Jia Zhen, and he finally realized something, "These guns..."

"Put it away, and put it away right now."

Jia Zhen's hands were trembling and her legs were weak. "Mother, this thing shouldn't be in our house."

"...Are you scared?!"

"Mother, our family is doing very well now."

Although his title was only third-rank, his mother had already been granted the title of first-rank noblewoman.

Now, Lian's second brother has also been appointed as the Director of the Arsenal.

If their family gets their hands on that gun again...

Jia Zhen immediately knelt down on the ground, "Was Grandfather wrong? Was Father wrong? Was the Emperor Emeritus and Grandfather not on good terms?"

He is afraid!
"But a great change occurred. My grandfather died, my uncle also passed away, and my father and you had to take refuge in a Taoist temple."

Jia Zhen wanted to cry.

In that upheaval, his wife also passed away.

Although he couldn't say he was particularly fond of her, after so many years together, her passing left him feeling empty inside.

"Mother, these things really can't be in our house."

The retired emperor and the emperor appear to be a loving father and son, but who can be sure what the truth is?
Moreover, there are Prince Jin and other princes in the court, each with their own ulterior motives. What if they were to attack their family for some reason...

Jia Zhen simply couldn't believe it.

"You know about Prince Jin's attitude towards our Jia family today. Although he was punished by the Emperor Emeritus, what does three months matter?"

They are father and son, while they are subjects.

"If we really offer these things up... our Jia family will be in deep trouble and we'll never be able to clear our name."

Jiao Da's heart skipped a beat.

The old man didn't know what was happening outside, but he couldn't stand for his master to act like this!
"Mrs……"

Jiao Da looked anxiously at Shen Ning.

"..."

Shen Ning didn't speak. She slowly reached for the toy gun she used to play with as a child, and sighed inwardly, "Let's seal it up!"

She was being too presumptuous.

Fortunately, it hasn't been given away yet.

"Where is Shen Judao?"

She then asked the boy who was making the gun,

“He caught a chill last night and is now taking medicine and sleeping in the outer room.”

"...What is his character like?"

Jiao Da's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "He's a very good child."

"Then take good care of him."

Shen Ning sighed, "Zhen'er, reward him with some good things."

"Yes!" As long as these things aren't given away, everything else is negotiable.

Jia Zhen readily agreed.

……

In the teahouse's private room, Jia Zhu watched her father pacing restlessly, her brows furrowed.

"What? You think your father is wrong?"

Jia Zheng stared intently at his son, "Our Great Zhao Dynasty is a mighty and powerful nation, how..."

"Father!"

Jia Zhu suddenly called out to him, “During the time when my grandfather was bedridden, I visited him several times. What he talked to me about most was my great-grandfather’s regret. My great-grandfather regretted that he hadn’t persisted and had just retreated.”

Jia Zheng: "..."

“My grandfather also regretted that he had to die at home instead of charging into battle.”

To die a glorious death, wrapped in a horse's hide, is to die a heroic and unforgettable one!
He doesn't want to stay at home, it's so cowardly.

"Think about it, if it weren't for Brother Zhen and Uncle arriving in time, what would have happened to Aunt and my younger cousins? What would have happened to Brother Lian? If something had happened to them, what would have happened to our family?"

Jia Zhu looked at his father and said, "The Li family deserves to die, and the Japanese pirates deserve to die. You pity the people of Japan, but have you ever thought about your ancestors and family? You can say these things to me and I know you are kind-hearted, but if my father-in-law finds out, do you think he will praise your noble character?"
Will the censors outside praise your noble character and integrity?
Will the people of Jiangnan praise you?
If word gets out, will your grandmother praise you? Will she be happy that she gave birth to a good son?
Will your aunt from the East Mansion praise you?

Will the people of Japan build a shrine for you?

Jia Zheng: "..."

He watched his son's mouth open and close, sweat began to bead on his back, and his vision began to blur.

"Would the Emperor and the Emperor Emeritus be pleased with your praise of this great nation?"

Jia Zhu then asked him.

I really have to ask.

His father's brain is just weird.

They never used to be in charge.

He should just stay out of it!
If I don't get involved, everyone will be worry-free.

This manager...

Jia Zhu always felt that one day, their second branch of the family would be forced by the eldest aunt of the East Mansion to remove Brother Zhen from the Jia family.

He was even more afraid that he wouldn't live to see that day.

He would truly die of worry because his father's constant melancholy would keep him up day and night.
After kneeling in the ancestral hall for so many days, Jia Zhu saw it all clearly. On the surface, the division of the family in the West Mansion benefited the second branch, but it was because their grandmother still cared for them, their eldest uncle had brotherly affection, and their eldest aunt in the East Mansion was planning ahead, not wanting their West Mansion to end up in such a mess.

But in reality, his aunt had very little patience for his family.

After that report, his aunt became wary of his mother and the Wang family.

Although she still dotes on the younger generation, she doesn't love her parents...

"Father, is it okay if only my eldest uncle knows about this for now?"

Jia Zheng: "..."

He was so frightened by his son that his face turned pale. When he steadied himself by holding onto the table, he nodded obediently.

"I'll talk to my uncle, you..."

Looking at his father, who had the air of a gentleman, Jia Zhu felt exhausted. "Go home and pretend nothing happened. You haven't told anyone. As for your father-in-law, I'll tell him that you just got some good tea and wanted to ask him to taste it."

He then went to find him some tea leaves.

"You...I...was I wrong?"

His son had made arrangements for him, and Jia Zheng's heart skipped a beat. He sat down on the chair with his buttocks tilted to one side.

At this moment, his face showed some distress.

He didn't know whether doing one thing was wrong or doing two things was wrong.

At first, he thought he was right.

No, everyone used to praise him when he did things!

Jia Zheng suddenly missed the scholars and gentlemen who used to accompany him.

“Father, whether it’s right or wrong, we can’t side with outsiders.”

Jia Zhu was quite helpless. "Lord Dong of Shuntian Prefecture is on our side. He's such a powerful person!"

If you don't understand, then follow the smart people!
Why bother coming up with random ideas?
Why do people still think they are right?

Why believe those false, grandiose, and empty claims?

What great nation?
Must a great nation be bullied?
Why?
Jia Zhu was furious.

He had no idea that so many things had happened at home during the few days he was away studying at the Imperial Academy.

Fortunately, my aunt was there.

Otherwise, what would their family be like now?
My grandmother is old and simply cannot bear the thought of my aunt and my second brother Lian having accidents at the same time.

If the Japanese pirates really succeed, the Jia family's former enemies will probably jump out and take a bite out of them.

The lessons of the past are still fresh in our minds, so why can't Father understand?

"In a few days, this matter will surely be discussed in the imperial court. Can't we just listen?"

Jia Zhu didn't even know who the father and son were anymore. "Even if there's no discussion, you have to pretend you don't know. The Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor will make their own judgment, and your aunt will also have her own scale in her heart."

It's rare that his aunt would trust his father like this; if she knew...

"It's getting late, you should go back now!"

Jia Zhu wanted to be alone, so she said, "Son, ask for leave tomorrow and come home."

"Well... okay, I... I'm leaving."

Jia Zheng staggered as he pushed open the door to the private room and quickly left.

Fortunately, only the father and son were on the third floor at that moment. Jia Zheng was suddenly very relieved that he had looked for his son first, not his in-laws.

He hurried downstairs and told the waiting carriage to return to the mansion as soon as possible.

But upon arriving home, another blow struck: Lian'er had been granted an official position—the same one her father had greeted with clasped hands and friendly banter as the Director of the Military Treasury.

he……

Everyone in the family was overjoyed. Jia Zheng could only offer a few words of encouragement and then smile as he congratulated his mother and elder brother.

After a long while, Jia Zheng dragged his somewhat heavy steps toward Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

At this point, only his wife might understand him to some extent.

Sure enough, the old woman's room was cold and quiet; she was sitting there in a daze.

"master!"

Madam Wang forced herself to be cheerful. "I heard you went to see my eldest brother? Is his leg any better? Did he say when he can walk again?"

"……much better."

Jia Zheng was very tired. "Don't worry, he will probably return to the capital garrison in a few days."

"That's good."

Madam Wang finally smiled a little. "Now that Lian'er has entered the Armory, my elder brother's life will be a little easier."

Jia Zheng: "..."

"By the way, did the old lady say how we're going to celebrate today?"

"I'm exhausted today."

Min and the others all returned overnight.

"Go back and tell the old lady that your sister is back and Lian'er has been promoted. Shouldn't we invite our relatives and friends to get together?"

"it is good!"

Madam Wang agreed.

"As for the East Mansion..." Jia Zheng hesitated for a moment, "You should be more respectful to your sister-in-law from now on."

Wang: "..."

She didn't know what she had done that was disrespectful.

"It seems that the eldest sister-in-law of the East Mansion has always preferred the eldest son's wife."

If Jia Zheng makes her unhappy, then he shouldn't expect to be happy either. "Otherwise, she would have sent Zhu'er to Jiangnan. Uncle Lin is in Jiangnan, and he is still a third-ranked scholar. If Zhu'er could be by his side for a period of time like Lian'er, her studies would probably improve."