Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Among the Jia family's many sons, some were inept at worldly affairs, some were too young, and some were simply dissolute, Jia Lian was one of the few who could handle the family's practical affairs.

While his competence isn't exceptional, he's certainly capable to some extent!

In the original work, he had handled some difficult external affairs. For example, after Lin Ruhai died, Grandmother Jia entrusted him with the important task of escorting Daiyu back to her hometown for the funeral. He handled Lin Ruhai's funeral arrangements quite properly.

His competence is also evident in his handling of private matters in Ping'an Prefecture and in the planning and construction of the Grand View Garden.

His talent and insight may be average, but he is still very good at emotional intelligence, dealing with people and social interactions.

Of course, his shortcomings are also very obvious. He is too promiscuous, his private life is extremely chaotic, he cannot control his desires at all, and his behavior, aesthetics and spiritual pursuits are all vulgar.

For example, when his daughter Qiaojie contracted smallpox and needed to fast and live separately, he showed no fatherly compassion. He first sought out a handsome young servant to "release his lust," and then seduced Duo Guniang.

"The more wanton the wife became, the more Jia Lian's ugly side was revealed," and "Jia Lian only knew how to please himself with lewd pleasures and did not know how to care for his concubines." These two sentences are original words from the original work.

The commentary by Zhiyan Zhai also pointed out incisively: "In the entire book, only this extremely ugly and blatant passage, written about Jia Lian, is perfectly apt!"

Moreover, almost all of Jia Lian's romantic affairs were accompanied by a lack of responsibility, especially his infidelity during critical moments such as his daughter's serious illness, his wife's birthday, and periods of national and family mourning. He was so lustful that he couldn't distinguish between what was important and what was not!

Of course, despite his many flaws, Jia Lian still maintained a bottom line that distinguished him from Jia She, Jia Zhen, and others: his inherently good conscience.

For example, in the "Shi Daizi" incident in the original work, he clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with Jia She's act of forcibly seizing other people's antique fans, believing it to be inappropriate, but was instead beaten up.

It was precisely this compassion for the underprivileged that made Jia Jing willing to keep using him!

Lust is ultimately a matter of personal morality, while murder for money and breaking the law are matters of principle.

When it comes to matters of principle and minor details within his own family, Jia Jing's consistent attitude is to be tolerant of minor issues but ruthless towards major mistakes.

As Jia Jing's nominal older brother, Jia Lian, was willing to lend a helping hand if possible.

Sister Feng raised her willow-leaf eyebrows, pursed her pink lips, and couldn't help but shift her pert posture, which she was halfway up in her seat. Her face showed undisguised surprise and jealousy as she said:

"Let him be the deputy general manager of Jingzihao Trading Company? Is he... suitable for such an important position?"

She knew the Jingzihao Trading Company all too well; it was currently the most profitable trading company in the entire capital city.

The novelties inside, such as the Jade Liquor, glass mirrors, and soaps, are selling like hotcakes; it's like making a fortune every day.

At first, the people in the capital city did not know whose property it was, and countless people were eager to take a bite out of this lucrative business.

It wasn't until later, when several incidents were caused by trouble and were resolved by the personal guards of the Duke of Jing's mansion, that everyone realized that the business was backed by the powerful Jia Jing.

Sister Feng had secretly inquired about the business's situation and, according to Aunt Xue and other knowledgeable people, said...

The Jingzihao Trading Company has now opened branches in hundreds of prefectures and cities throughout the Han Dynasty, and has no fewer than a thousand employees.

Those novel goods were even exported to the West, generating profits of at least several million taels of silver a year. Such a stable cash flow was simply terrifying!

It was only after this that the masters of the Jia family realized that Jia Jing not only had an astonishing amount of power on the surface, but had also quietly built such a vast family fortune behind the scenes.

Therefore, when Sister Feng heard that Jia Jing wanted Jia Lian to be the deputy general manager of Jing Company, her first reaction was not joy, but deep... jealousy!

Despite his painstaking efforts, flattery, and fawning, he only ended up with the title of assistant housekeeper.

Lian Er has neither ability nor methods; he's all show and no substance, and he's also a womanizer. Yet he was given such a lucrative position so easily!

The third brother still cares more about his own brothers; no matter how close his sister-in-law is, she's still not as close as his brothers!

At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a little worried. If Lian Er were to gain power and influence, what would happen?

He will definitely dominate me at home in the future, which will greatly weaken my power of speech. Will I have to be subservient to him in the future?

The thought of a concubine entering the house and her being favored and neglected by her husband made her hair stand on end!

Jia Jing picked up the plum juice, took a sip, and said calmly:

"Why not? If Brother Lian really wants to work outside, the trading company is the only option for now!"

It's definitely not appropriate to send someone with Jia Lian's temperament into the military camp.

Even if he could endure hardship, Jia Jing would not easily accept titles and ranks from the court in private.

This is also one of his principles: giving money to family members is acceptable, but giving them official positions is absolutely unacceptable!

The merchant guild is short-staffed and overseen by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so Jia Jing can feel relatively at ease sending Jia Lian there for a few years of training.

Fengjie's face showed a conflicted and worried expression. She couldn't directly say that she was worried that Jia Lian might become successful and rebel against the Heavenly Gang, so she quickly thought of a solution:

"I didn't mean anything by it, I was just thinking that if your second brother Lian went to work at the trading company, with such a high position and many responsibilities as the deputy general manager, he would inevitably be unable to take care of things at home!"

Jia Jing frowned, glanced at Feng Jie, and said coldly:

"You and Third Sister manage the inner quarters of the mansion, and Second Master and I handle the affairs outside. What is there for Second Brother Lian to worry about?"

You told me to find him something to do since he's idle at home, otherwise he'll turn the house into a brothel!

Now that you've arranged things for him, you're saying you're worried he won't be able to take care of his family?

What does this mean?

Are you trying to play the one-track-minded game with me and end up blocking both ends?

Jia Jing slammed the cup in his hand onto the stone table with a loud "bang," startling Feng Jie and Ping'er who were standing nearby.

This also completely dissipated the little courage that Sister Feng had just regained!

Fengjie glanced at Jia Jing's expression, seemingly catching the displeasure deep in his eyes, and forced a smile, explaining:

"Third brother, don't be angry. I know you mean well. I'm just worried that Lian Er is a bit unruly and might ruin your plans!"

"You don't know him. Once he has money in his hands and his back gets straight, he doesn't recognize his parents anymore!"

Jia Jing snorted coldly, roughly understanding Feng Jie's little scheme. She was worried that Jia Lian wouldn't be able to control himself once he had money. He waved his hand and said:

"Then let's drop this matter and let Second Brother Lian stay in the manor! As long as he doesn't cause trouble in the inner quarters, I don't want to interfere in matters of mutual consent outside!"

Sister Feng blinked her phoenix eyes, and tentatively asked, somewhat reluctantly:

"It's such a great favor that our third brother has shown us; how could your second brother and I possibly refuse?"

"But... I was thinking... could my third brother's salary be paid directly to me from now on? He's so greedy, he can't stand having any money at all..."

As the deputy manager, he earns at least a thousand taels of silver a year. Even if Sister Feng has concerns, how could she really bear to refuse him?

Besides, Jia Jing has gone to great lengths to show his respect today; if we refuse, wouldn't we be ungrateful?

Jia Jing glanced at Feng Jie, who was feigning shame, and thought to himself, "In this day and age, she actually thought of confiscating her husband's salary card. She truly lives up to her reputation as the domineering and shrewish Feng Jie!"

But in today's world where the husband is the head of the household, it's no wonder that this couple, who only knew how to be tough and not how to be gentle, ended up with their relationship breaking down and ending in a miserable way!

Jia Jing waved his hand, his sharp eyes fixed on Feng Jie's face, and refused:

"This is a matter between you two as husband and wife. You can discuss it yourselves. As long as Second Brother Lian has no objections, it's fine!"

He paused for a moment, then finally added a reminder:

"Second sister-in-law, a marriage without love is doomed to fail! What you said is too demeaning to Brother Lian; it's not good for either of you!"

Some of these things may be true, but they shouldn't come out of a wife's mouth one after another!

Feng Jie pursed her pink lips and furrowed her willow-leaf eyebrows. For some reason, she felt uneasy under the gaze of the other person's slightly sharp and "deep" eyes. Although she didn't care, she didn't dare to say anything more and forced a smile:

"I appreciate your kindness, Third Brother..."

"Thank you very much, Third Brother. I'll go back and discuss it with Lian Er, and have him start working at the shop tomorrow!"

The usually playful, witty, and even somewhat shrewish Feng Jie, under Jia Jing's gaze, could only pretend to be a wronged little wife, dejectedly agreeing repeatedly!

Of course, while she said it was okay, what she really thought was that only unmarried girls would believe in feelings, and compared to Jia Lian, she believed more in the tangible money she had in her hands...

She was even already planning how to plant her own people around Jia Lian to find out his salary and daily whereabouts...

Seeing this, Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, then said nothing more. He glanced at the sky, picked up the plum juice, drank it all in one gulp, and said:

"Then Second Sister-in-law, please go back and tell Second Brother Lian about this! Tell him to be conscientious in his work, and never to touch anything he shouldn't. He must not make any fundamental mistakes, or I won't let him off easily!"

"That's all for now. I still have some important matters to attend to at the main camp, so I won't stay any longer!"

With that, he stood up, bid farewell to Sister Feng, and left.

Leaving aside Jia Jing's return to Jingming Hall to gather his personal guards and rush to the Twelfth Regiment Camp, the atmosphere inside the central command tent of the regiment camp outside the south city was tense and solemn.