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

As the group gradually walked away, only Miaoyu remained in the inner room of the Longcui Nunnery, sitting alone on a futon, looking dejected and with tears streaming down her face.

As the group walked along the paths of the Grand View Garden, Baoyu continued to grumble about Jia Cong, while Baochai gently comforted him. Daiyu walked beside Jia Cong, occasionally whispering a few words of advice, her words full of pettiness and affection.

Miaoyu probably wouldn't dare to complain to Grandmother Jia or Lady Wang, as she, too, was living under someone else's roof and wasn't Daiyu's biological granddaughter.

Only Baoyu was not happy. He returned to Yihong Courtyard with a sullen face and did not invite Jia Cong to dinner that night.

Jia Cong didn't care whether Miaoyu or Baoyu lived or died. He slept better than anyone else that night. The next day, after the morning shift, he went to the prison with the help of two captains.

As the commander of the prison, this was Jia Cong's first time visiting the prison. The prisoners there were not ordinary prisoners, but soldiers from each of the thousand-household units who had rebelled, retreated in battle, leaked secrets, or disobeyed military orders.

Jia Cong had the captain bring the roster, checked it against the list again, and then pointed to one of the soldiers who looked honest and unassuming before speaking.

"I see the document states that this person deserted in the face of battle?"

A captain stepped forward with a forced smile.

"What the garrison commander says is true. This Liu Ergou did not perform his duties properly and even escaped from his post several months ago. He was caught by the station and has been imprisoned ever since. The commander has ordered that he be executed before the winter solstice as a warning to others."

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong glanced down at the three characters "Liu Ergou" on the roster and slowly said, "Execution on the winter solstice? I don't think that's necessary."

The captain was taken aback upon hearing this, his apologetic smile froze for a moment, and he quickly bowed and asked,

"What do you mean, sir? This Liu Ergou deserted his post in the face of battle. According to military law, he should be executed. If he is let off lightly, it may be difficult to convince the troops."

"To win over the troops?" Jia Cong scoffed, glancing at the captain with an air of unquestionable authority. "I am in charge of the criminal justice system of the thousand-household garrison. Do you need to elaborate on how military law is enforced?"

The captain was so frightened that he quickly bowed and apologized: "This humble officer misspoke, it is all according to your orders, sir."

Jia Cong stopped looking at him and simply waved his hand.

"Go and bring Liu Ergou here. I need to ask him a few questions alone. Everyone else, wait outside and don't come any closer."

"Yes, sir, I'll go right away." The captain didn't dare to delay and quickly turned around and went to the depths of the prison. Before long, he led in a ragged, sallow-faced soldier.

This soldier was none other than Liu Ergou, reeking of the musty smell of prison, his hair disheveled, his eyes filled with fear. Upon seeing Jia Cong, though young, he was dressed in official robes and possessed an extraordinary air. With a thud, Liu Ergou knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, his voice trembling.

"This humble servant...this humble servant Liu Ergou greets you, sir! I beg you, sir, spare my life! I beg you, sir, spare my life!"

He knew that he would surely die according to military law for deserting in the face of battle. When he saw a young official questioning him personally, he thought he was about to be executed ahead of schedule. He was so frightened that he begged for mercy.

Jia Cong looked down at him, then dismissed the other officers and clerks, and said, "Raise your head."

Liu Ergou froze, slowly raising his head. His face was streaked with tears and fear, but his eyes revealed a hint of honesty and timidity, unlike the cunning and treacherous type.

Jia Cong looked at him for a moment before slowly speaking, "I know you deserted in the face of battle, which, according to the law, is punishable by death. The execution will be carried out on the winter solstice. Are you aware of this?"

Liu Ergou trembled and was about to kowtow again, but Jia Cong raised his hand to stop him.

"I know, I was confused for a moment, I know I was wrong, please have mercy, sir! I have elderly parents and young children to support, if I die, my family will be left without anyone to rely on!"

As he spoke, his eyes reddened, and tears rolled down his cheeks again. His tone was full of despair and pleading, making him look rather pitiful.

Jia Cong thought to himself, "People who are honest and timid, yet have so many concerns, are the most useful. If you can control their family's livelihood and lives, they will be able to work wholeheartedly for you. They are more reliable than those slick people."

After a moment of hesitation, Jia Cong slowly spoke.

"I can help you make a living, even if it is a capital offense. I will do my best to protect you. Not only will I release you, but I will also give you a settlement allowance, enough for your family to live a worry-free life."

Liu Ergou was suddenly stunned, his despair instantly replaced by shock. He stared at Jia Cong in disbelief, his voice stammering.

"Sir...sir, are you...are you telling the truth? You really are willing to spare my life and even give me a settlement allowance?"

"As the governor of this region, I always keep my word," Jia Cong said indifferently, then changed the subject.

"But I won't help you for nothing. You need to do me a favor. If you do it well, you'll get what you want. If you mess it up..."

He didn't continue speaking, but the chill in his eyes sent a shiver down Liu Ergou's spine, and he immediately kowtowed repeatedly.

"I am willing! I will obey your orders, sir! I would gladly do ten or a hundred things, even if it costs me my life! Just spare my life, sir!"

"You don't need to risk your life; you just need to be obedient, keep your mouth shut, and do as I say."

Jia Cong spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of veiled admonition.

"I have a few trusted men who deliver vegetables to the Ning residence every day. I will arrange for you to join Ni Er's forces and serve him."

Liu Ergou nodded quickly.

"I've noted it down."

"It's not just about delivering vegetables." Jia Cong leaned down and whispered in his ear, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear, "Once you arrive at the Ning Mansion, someone will contact you. You just need to follow my instructions and do a small task. You don't need to hurt anyone or say anything. Just behave yourself and do as I say."

He deliberately avoided mentioning the word "poisoning," partly because he feared someone might overhear, and partly because he was afraid Liu Ergou would back down if he found out. He only gave a vague explanation so that Liu would have a clear understanding.

Although Liu Ergou didn't know exactly what to do, saving his life was the priority at this moment, so he didn't dare to ask any more questions and nodded hurriedly like a chicken pecking at rice.

"I understand! I will keep my mouth shut and not divulge a single word!"

Jia Cong straightened up, nodded in satisfaction, and then called in the clerk waiting outside. "Go and find a clean set of clothes for Liu Ergou to change into. Process his release papers, and don't make a fuss. Release him today."

"Yes, sir." Although the clerk was puzzled, he dared not ask any further questions and quickly turned to do as instructed.

Before long, the clerk brought some clothes, and Liu Ergou changed into clean clothes. He then kowtowed several times to Jia Cong.

"Thank you so much, sir! I will serve you faithfully for the rest of my life and never let you down!"

Jia Cong waved his hand.

"Go, remember my words, keep your mouth shut, and do your job well. If you dare to leak even a single word, or mess up your job, I will not let you off. Even if you escape to the ends of the earth, I will catch you and bring you back. Your whole family will also be implicated."

"I understand! I will never do it again!" Liu Ergou replied repeatedly and carefully withdrew.

Jia Cong then called over Li Rong.

"Go, keep an eye on this fellow. Also, go back to the manor and fetch twenty taels of silver to give him, then take him to see Ni Er!"