Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"In the battle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao's army outnumbered Cao Cao's by several times. The generals in Cao Cao's army thought they were no match for him, so they secretly wrote letters to Yuan Shao."

Later, Cao Cao won a great victory over Yuan Shao's army, and the letter was delivered to Cao Cao.

The generals of Cao Cao's army were in danger, all thinking that Cao Cao would arrest the people according to the letter. Unexpectedly, Cao Cao burned all the letters in front of everyone.

The generals felt ashamed and fought bravely, helping Cao Cao to quickly conquer Ji Province. From then on, there was no longer any enemy of Cao Cao in the north…

While Jia Baoyu was still tirelessly telling stories to his sisters in the hall below, Grandmother Jia and the others in the hall above seemed somewhat silent.

Although most of them did not read books or study history, they were still aware of Cao Cao's great name.

Is Jia Lian's theory truly not just made up, but rather derived from historical research?

Putting that aside, even Grandmother Jia felt that her grandson Jia Lian was too meticulous in his work, not even giving her a chance to interfere.

"Of course, although all the evidence was burned, I can still vaguely remember how many people filled out the forms, for example, the head steward, Lai Da..."

After Jia Baoyu's voice faded away, Jia Lian spoke quite frankly, as if he would have no choice but to break his promise and tell what he remembered if Grandmother Jia really wanted to know.

However, as soon as he said this, everyone looked at Granny Lai sitting next to Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia enjoyed great power and prestige in the Jia family for fifty or sixty years, and naturally had a group of confidants. Most of these people who were still alive held very high positions in the Jia family.

Many people had seats next to Grandmother Jia.

The first one to be affected is Granny Lai. If we were to follow the seating order, her seat would always be the closest to Grandmother Jia's among the servants!

Even Jia Zheng and Lady Wang had to show some respect to Granny Lai...

Otherwise, the Lai family would never have had such power in the Jia family, with their two sons becoming the stewards of both households, making them the most powerful "second masters" in the Jia family.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Granny Lai hurriedly stood up shakily and said humbly, "In front of the Old Madam, Madam, and Second Master, this servant dares not defend my son."

I have been serving the old lady since I was a child, and I have served her for most of my life. Fortunately, the old lady trusts and takes care of me, and has given me some dignity.

Relying on this prestige, over the years, not only the servants, but also the servants' sons and grandsons have enjoyed immense glory!

This is the kindness and compassion of our masters. So over the years, I have often taught them at home that they must always remember the kindness of their masters and serve them faithfully. If anyone dares to disregard their masters' kindness and do something disloyal or unfilial, even Heaven will not tolerate it.

Therefore, Second Master, you need not hide anything. If Lai Da has truly done something to betray your master and the household, Second Master, you may punish him as you see fit. Even if you beat a servant to death, you will have no regrets. Just pretend you never had such an unfilial son…”

As Granny Lai spoke, she emotionally wiped away a tear, which moved many of the sentimental people in the hall.

Not to mention Grandmother Jia, who is over seventy years old and about to pass away, and is naturally more sentimental than young people.

Hearing Granny Lai say this, she was deeply moved. "What are you saying? I watched your eldest son grow up from a young age. He has been loyal and devoted to the household all these years. Otherwise, why would their master value him so much?"

Now that he's an official, he's learned a strict method of managing household affairs. If judged by his standards, there are probably very few loyal servants left in the world!

"I don't believe it. The person that I, their husband, and I all value is someone who is disloyal and unfilial in his eyes?"

While comforting Granny Lai, Grandmother Jia glared at Jia Lian, telling him to watch his words.

Jia Lian could see that Grandmother Jia was afraid that he would go berserk tonight and even try to take action against the Lai family, in which case she would definitely not let him off the hook.

Although Jia Lian did not intend to harm the Lai family for the time being, he also saw through this that these servants held an unshakeable position in the family.

The moment he mentioned Lai Da, Grandmother Jia's expression changed, and she showed no intention of inquiring about how much the servants had embezzled...

It is conceivable that if he did not have a much higher status than before and dared to show any signs of being detrimental to the Lai family, he would probably be ruthlessly suppressed at home.

"Hehehe, old lady is joking. As long as I can remember, Lai Da has been the head of the household."

If it weren't for Manager Lai all these years, how could our family have lived peacefully until now?

All matters, big and small, inside and outside the mansion, were coordinated and arranged by Steward Lai. Without Steward Lai, how could my father have enjoyed such a peaceful and wealthy life all those years, and how could my master have been able to serve as an official in the court with peace of mind?

They were already exhausted by the numerous and complicated matters in the mansion!

So the grandson understands that this family can live without even its grandson, but it cannot live without Steward Lai…”

Jia Lian's words struck many as odd, and Granny Lai repeatedly said things like, "Second Master is joking," and "It's all thanks to the master's cultivation."

Jia Lian didn't give everyone much time to react and continued with a smile: "So don't worry, old lady, we all see and remember Steward Lai's loyalty."

Even if their family is a bit extravagant, it's all deserved, considering that Steward Lai has made the greatest contributions to the household over the years.

The more Grandmother Jia and the others listened, the more they felt it was inappropriate; Jia Lian had gone too far.

Lady Wang felt this most deeply. Jia Lian, this is like putting the Lai family on a fire to roast them.

Who contributed the most to the family?

Aside from the old Duke, who would dare to accept this title?

Although she felt that Jia Lian was too scheming, she still secretly wondered about him.

If Jia Lian truly harbored resentment towards the Lai family, then it would be a good thing for her. She knew all too well that even if Grandmother Jia tacitly approved of Jia Lian's punishment of the Shan family and other servants, she would certainly not allow him to harm the Lai family.

If Jia Lian were to actually do that, it would definitely provoke a retaliation from Grandmother Jia.

This is beneficial in ensuring that Grandmother Jia remains on their side...

Grandmother Jia also felt that Jia Lian's words were really unpleasant to hear, but Jia Lian had a sincere smile on his face and was even saying things in accordance with her wishes, so what could she say?

A brief silence fell over the scene.

The silence was unsettling. Tan Chun, who happened to be right next to Jia Lian, boldly changed the subject: "Second Brother Lian, since you've decided to burn that book, why bother having the servants confess? Isn't that a waste of time?"

Jia Lian turned around and saw that the three sisters, Daiyu, and the others were all staring at him with wide eyes.

Jia Lian didn't want to waste time talking to Grandmother Jia and the others. It would be much more pleasant to have a private chat with his sisters than to talk to Grandmother Jia.

So he smiled and asked in return, "Third sister, have you ever heard of the 'Sword of Damocles'?"

Daiyu and the others all looked surprised.

"The Sword of Damocles? What's that?"

In this country that prides itself on being a superior nation, this kind of "barbarian culture" is completely foreign to us.

Jia Lian then casually pulled over a stool and sat down, beckoning them to gather around, and then began to speak in a storytelling tone:

"It is said that in the far west there was a man named Damocles who loved to flatter their king, saying that the king was great and had enviable supreme power."

So the king told him that he could switch places with him for a day, so that he could also experience what it's like to be a king.

Damocles was overjoyed, and indeed he had switched places with the king, experiencing what it was like to be a king…

Although Jia Lian intended to tell stories to Daiyu and the others, his novelty naturally attracted the attention of the others in the hall.

Even Baochai unconsciously moved away from her mother's side and stood a little further forward.

"And then? What happened to him?"

"In the evening, Damocles enjoyed a banquet in the king's palace."

As he reveled in the luxurious palace, the endless delicacies, and the beautiful maids, he suddenly looked up and discovered a gleaming, upside-down sword hanging above his head.

Daiyu and the others subconsciously let out a soft "Ah!" to show that they were startled.

Jia Lian's expression also turned serious. "Therefore, Damocles lost all interest in the food and beauty before him, immediately took off his crown, and begged the king to forgive him."

Later generations came to refer to the dangers forgotten while living in a secure and prosperous environment as the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.