Dream of the Red Chamber: A Refined and Elegant Young Man in a Turbid World

Wang Xifeng was extremely shrewd and knowledgeable about the craftsmanship of the estate and workshops. Upon seeing it, she was immediately delighted and exclaimed in delight.

"My goodness! Brother, you have such a talent for sourcing things! Every single item is a gem, even better than perfume or glass! Look at this rock sugar, paired with the family's white fungus, even princes and nobles would be scrambling for it. And this cold-processed floral soap is a perfect substitute for coarse soap; which noblewoman in the capital wouldn't love it? From now on, the family's income will be much more secure!"

Then Sister Feng turned to look at Jia Cong, her face showing genuine gratitude, and her tone softened even more.

"I am already extremely grateful for your help with Laiwang'er's matter before. Now you have pointed out these two clear paths for the manor, relieving my urgent need to manage the household. Brother, rest assured, I will immediately arrange for the manpower on the estate to prepare for these two workshops and find the most reliable manager to oversee them. I will definitely not let you down."

As he spoke, he personally refilled Jia Cong's wine cup, saying, "From now on, you will definitely get a share of the profits from these two workshops! Even if the household is tight, you won't be short a single penny. Consider it just a small token of my appreciation!"

Jia Cong quickly offered a feigned excuse.

"Sister-in-law, you flatter me. If things are going well for the household, everyone will benefit. There's no need to be so polite about the profit sharing. I just hope the workshop can open as soon as possible to get the household out of its predicament."

Wang Xifeng, known for her decisive and efficient work style, nodded without hesitation, "I'll have the materials prepared and the workshop set up tomorrow, and I'll make sure these two businesses become profitable as soon as possible!"

The uncle and sister-in-law drank two more cups before Jia Cong came out of Jia Lian's room, secretly lamenting that he didn't have many special skills left, and that even the best science and engineering skills couldn't transcend the limitations of the times.

The next day, he went on duty as usual and observed the soldiers' drills. Only then did he gain a rough understanding of the military strength of the Jingji Guard and even the entire Jingying Garrison.

Ordinary soldiers were all from farming families and had no chance of learning proper, advanced martial arts skills; they mostly learned some drills in the army.

As for those like Li Baihu, who had some assets at home and were willing to invest, they sought out instructors or masters, trained for three to five years, and then found jobs in the army to get promoted.

As Sun Tai said, it is almost certain that the imperial examination next year will be attended entirely by scions of noble families. For a poor but talented person to pass the military examination once would already be a blessing from his ancestors, allowing him to return to the imperial court.

There was a sycophantic captain who shamelessly begged Jia Cong to show off his skills to the brothers. Men are all highly competitive creatures, and Jia Cong couldn't help but feel the urge to show off his skills.

After brandishing the swords in the soldiers' hands, he immediately drew cheers from the audience. Zhou Haiyong and Yang Shaoyan let him be, thinking it was just a young man's fondness for showing off. They only hoped to get through the next six months peacefully, and that they could move this big Buddha after passing the palace examination.

Before I could even leave work, a minor official came in to deliver my monthly salary. Since the founding emperor of this dynasty, it has been stipulated that the monthly salary be paid before the fifth day of each month. Although things are not as they used to be now, fortunately, the Jingjiwei garrison is still within the capital city, so it will not be deducted or neglected.

Around noon, Jia Cong hurriedly returned to the Rong Mansion, only to be summoned by Jia She's personal servant. Upon entering the room, he could only offer a curtsy.

"I wonder why Father has summoned his son here?"

Jia She feigned concern, first pulling Jia Cong to sit down, then asking a few questions about the duties at the Thousand-Household Office, before slowly picking up his teacup.

"Now that Cong'er has been granted an official position and receives a salary from the imperial court, he has not disgraced his family's reputation for welfare and has maintained his dignity."

He took a sip of tea, his gaze sweeping over Jia Cong, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

"We are both members of the Rong family's main branch. The rules passed down from our ancestors are nothing more than respecting our parents, caring for our clan, and fulfilling our duties. As the head of the main branch, I uphold the dignity of this family. I must support our elders, manage all the affairs of the family, and attend to all kinds of social interactions. Where can I not find time and effort to get around?"

Jia Cong stood with his hands at his sides, already fully aware of the situation. Jia She's words, seemingly about the difficulty of the eldest son's family in adhering to ancestral rules, were actually an implication that now that he had taken up an official post and received a salary, he should fulfill his duty to contribute money to the eldest son's family.

He dared not show the slightest impatience on his face, and simply bowed in response.

"The son knows how hard his father works, and how difficult it is for the eldest son's family to support the Rong family. He will always remember this."

Seeing that Jia She had grasped the underlying meaning, a barely perceptible hint of smugness flashed across his face, yet he maintained his composure, his tone becoming increasingly veiled.

"Now you are an official appointed by the court, unlike before when you were idle in the mansion. An official must first cultivate himself and then fulfill his duties as a son in order to be upright and proper. Moreover, although you have your own abilities, you are inseparable from the foundation of the mansion and the cultivation of your ancestors. If you forget your duties and lose your manners, people will laugh at the Rong family for not being able to raise good children."

Jia Cong sneered inwardly, but his expression became even more respectful. He slowly took out his newly received monthly salary from his purse and gently placed it on the table, his tone earnest.

"Father's teachings are true. I dare not forget my roots. I just received my monthly salary today. Although it is not much, it is a token of my heart. I am willing to use it to help with the expenses of the eldest son's family, to do my duty as a son, and to share some of Father's burdens."

Jia She glanced at the silver ingots on the table out of the corner of his eye, feeling dissatisfied, but outwardly still pretending to wave his hand dismissively.

"You've just started your official career, and you need money to manage your affairs. You should buy some decent things for yourself. There's no need to rush to fulfill your filial duties."

"My son is young and his expenses are not high. His official duties are provided by the Thousand Household Office, so there is no need to spend more money."

Jia Cong then pushed the silver away again.

"From now on, my son's monthly salary will be used entirely to support the eldest son's family. I will not dare to slack off in the slightest and will certainly live up to my father's teachings and the family's cultivation."

Jia She was speechless upon hearing this. He had originally intended to use the pretext of fulfilling his duty to subtly probe the profits of Jia Cong's workshops. The workshops brought in substantial income, far exceeding his monthly salary by ten or even a hundred times.

But Jia Cong was so sensible that he not only offered his monthly salary but also promised to send it every month thereafter, which made it difficult for Jia Cong to push his luck any further.

If he pushes too hard and displeases Jia Cong, and he complains to Grandmother Jia, not to mention the future profits from the workshop, as his nominal father, he will ultimately have to consider his reputation.

After a moment's hesitation, Jia She raised his hand to signal the servant to collect the money, his tone softening somewhat.

"It's good that you have this intention and this sense of duty. Go forward, do your job well, abide by the rules of the court, and maintain the dignity of the household. Don't disappoint me."

"Your son will remember your teachings, Father." Jia Cong bowed and agreed.

Jia She said a few more polite words, then waved for him to leave.

Jia Cong left the room, his sneer growing stronger. This small monthly salary would be enough to shut Jia She up, preventing him from using various excuses to pester the workshops for their profits in the future. It would save him some trouble.

At the beginning of his tenure, Baoyu and others had fewer opportunities to visit Jia Cong, as they were not on the same path. However, not long after, Granny Liu brought Ban'er back to the Rong Mansion.

Granny Liu caught Jia Mu's eye. She was overjoyed to finally find someone of similar age to talk to. After drinking tea, Granny Liu told Jia Mu about what she had seen and heard in the countryside. Jia Mu became even more interested and simply ordered that Granny Liu stay overnight at her home. The next day, she even prepared a banquet to entertain her.