Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Jia Zheng and Jia Zhen were both shocked and hurriedly asked, "Are you serious about what you're saying? Our lady really..."

Jia Lian shook his head: "This is just a guess or a prediction. Even if I'm wrong, it's still good that we build the garden better."

If we guess correctly, then the problem will be solved once and for all.

As he spoke, Jia Lian turned around and glanced at the people around him, including the steward and Jia Zheng's retainers, and said coldly, "You can keep what I just said to yourselves. If you dare to spread it and cause trouble, don't blame me for being impolite to you."

Jia Lian's instructions were merely to avoid any taboos; he wasn't worried that they would actually spread the word.

After all, hoping that one's older sister can achieve greater success is not a heinous crime.

Lai Da and the others quickly suppressed their shock and bowed to accept the message.

Jia Zheng took a deep breath and said, "In that case, let's do as Lian'er says. I hope you will put in more effort, sir. Don't worry about saving us money; just make sure the garden is built to the best of your ability."

Although Jia Lian claimed it was just a guess, based on past experience, what this kid says usually comes true in the end.

Perhaps he heard some rumors from somewhere and deliberately gave them a heads-up.

After these major events, anyone who still ignores Jia Lian's words would be utterly foolish.

Then Jia Zheng couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Now, thanks to his daughter, he has gained status and wherever he goes, people respectfully address him as "Elder Zheng".

If his daughter were to be promoted to Imperial Concubine in the future, wouldn't his status rise even higher?

I never felt that the term "father-in-law of the emperor" was so close to me.

So there's no question about it; we'll sell everything we own to make sure the trip home is a complete success.

It doesn't make sense that with his daughter being so capable, he, as her father, is still holding her back!

Jia Zhen smacked his lips, finally deciding not to say anything more.

If Yuan-chun were to become a Noble Consort, the Jia family would be glorious, but I fear my eldest branch would be suppressed under the Rongguo Mansion, with no chance of ever rising again.

Jia Lian once again stabilized the overall strategy, and the subsequent details were discussed and discussed step by step.

Shan Ziye was in charge of technical guidance, while Jia Zheng was in charge of overall management.

Jia Zhen and Jia Lian were in charge of coordinating and dispatching, assisted by the three head stewards, Lai Da, Lin Zhixiao, and Lai Sheng. In addition, Jia Zheng's most trusted retainers, along with other stewards and stewards, were in charge of the specific projects.

After careful consideration, it was decided that starting the day after tomorrow, the roads would be blocked off, high barriers would be erected, and construction would officially begin.

Other trivial matters need not be discussed in detail. Only Jia Lian's attention was drawn to Jia Zhen's suggestion that his good nephew Jia Qiang lead people to Suzhou to purchase actors, hire instructors, and purchase musical instruments and costumes.

Although Jia Zhen ostensibly wanted to send the younger generation, such as Jia Qiang, out to gain experience, Jia Lian saw through it immediately—Jia Zhen was deliberately giving Jia Qiang and the others an opportunity to make a quick buck.

When I went to Suzhou on business, the emperor was far away, and only heaven knew how much money I spent.

As for why Jia Qiang was chosen to lead the way, it's probably as compensation for the good blooming of chrysanthemums.

Aside from feeling a bit disgusted, Jia Lian had no intention of rejecting the idea.

Because he remembered that the twelve young actors, also known as the twelve officials, who were arrogant and mischievous in the Grand View Garden and added a lot of color to the garden, were bought by Jia Qiang and others from Suzhou.

If Jia Qiang can buy back the twelve officials as in the original story, that would be good.

If not, so be it, since he's not exactly a particularly important person.

……

The discussion lasted for half an afternoon before everyone finally dispersed.

Seeing that it was still early, Jia Lian set off for the newly opened drill ground in the east courtyard.

Zhang Yong and others were training the twenty new recruits.

谷仨

Jia Lian now has a total of twenty-seven guards, including the five initially selected by Zhang Yong, the twenty new Jia family servants recruited after the emperor bestowed official titles, and Aqi and Aqin.

More than half of these twenty servants were descendants of the old Duke who had fought in battles.

The rest were all strong and healthy.

Jia Lian had led more than a thousand men in battle and naturally knew the importance of personal guards when marching.

A vast army, more often than not, is like a heap of loose sand, each fighting its own battle. Only one's personal guards are truly reliable and responsible for protecting one's safety.

Therefore, five is definitely not enough. Jia Lian had already ordered Zhang Yong and others to rigorously train these twenty people, weeding out the weak and selecting the best.

Those who can't endure hardship should be laid off or replaced.

In just a few short months, we've already seen initial results. All we have to do is take them to the battlefield and let them get some blood on their hands, and they'll complete their transformation.

"Second Master!!"

These guards, who had been trained for months, even spoke differently from the other servants of the Jia family when they greeted each other, their voices carrying a sharp and fierce edge.

Jia Lian casually removed his official robes and tossed them onto a nearby rack. Then, shirtless, he walked to the center, pointed at a robust young man of about sixteen or seventeen, and beckoned, "You, come here and spar with me. If you take me down, your monthly pay will double!"

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, the boy felt as if he had been rewarded and immediately jumped out.

This was not the first time Jia Lian had randomly chosen people to spar with. At the beginning, they naturally did not dare to fight Jia Lian.

But later they discovered that as long as they held back, Jia Lian would beat them to a pulp; the more they held back, the more severely they were beaten.

It wasn't until they saw Feng Fei and the others sparring with Jia Lian and actually putting in real effort that they realized what was going on.

Second Master not only needs to train them, but also himself.

Moreover, Second Master is a man of his word; if you win against him, he won't be angry, and you'll even receive an extra reward.

Although, with the exception of a few individuals like Zhang Yong, most of them knew they were no match for Jia Lian.

However, being able to spar with the Second Master is an honor in itself, not to mention that if you win, you can also get a reward!

Therefore, being chosen by Jia Lian was naturally something to be excited about.

……

The residence of Li Wan and her son, behind Lady Wang's courtyard in Rongguo Mansion.

After Jia Lan returned home from school, Li Wan would, as was her custom, personally tutor him for half an hour under the window.

This half hour was also the most agonizing time for Jia Lan, because she dared not be distracted in the slightest.

But children are bound to make mistakes when they are learning. Jia Lan accidentally spilled ink on the text he had just read. He was startled and prepared to be scolded by his mother when he looked up and found that his mother was not looking at him, but staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

Curious, Jia Lan looked out the window but saw nothing. Only when she craned her neck could she see a figure walking away through the water-patterned openwork wall.

"What are you doing?"

The mother's sudden voice made Jia Lan immediately turn around and sit up straight. She glanced at her mother's calm brows and the clever child immediately decided to use a trick to distract her.

"Mother, was that Uncle Lian who just passed by?"

Li Wan was taken aback when she heard this, but she still nodded.

"It's only early March, and I'm still wearing two long gowns. Why is Uncle Lian wearing so little? Isn't he cold?"

Jia Lan simply wanted his mother to forget what had distracted him, but to his surprise, his mother reacted as if she had been bitten by a snake. She immediately glared at him and scolded, "Your second uncle Lian is a martial artist, so naturally he is different from you."

Why do you care so much? If you don't concentrate on your homework, I'll take away your after-dinner playtime!

Jia Lan dared not try to be clever again and quickly lowered her head to write carefully.