Chapter 324: Coveting the Title and Assets

Rongguo, Yingchun's Courtyard.

Xiuju ran into the room like a gust of wind, as if she had walked in a hurry, her little face flushed, and she was still panting.

Seeing Yingchun reading, she shouted in a sweet voice: "Young Lady, Young Lady, I just heard Sister Sister Sister Hupo say that the Cong Sanye helped you call off the marriage with the Sun family in the Rongqing Hall."

"It turns out the Cong Sanye was afraid you would suffer a loss, so he specifically sent someone to watch that Sun Shaozu, and discovered that he goes to places of pleasure like the Sixteen Pavilions every day to carouse, and his character is very inferior."

"The Cong Sanye said many fierce things in the Rongqing Hall just now to help you call off the marriage. Originally, the old lady was unwilling, saying that calling off this marriage might be bad for you."

Yingchun heard that the marriage with the Sun family had been called off, and there was an inexplicable joy in her heart. Seeing Xiuju stop halfway through, she hurriedly asked: "Then why did the old lady agree later?"

Xiuju laughed: "Cong Sanye Cong said that breaking off this marriage is a great fortune for you, and that you are such a good woman, you will definitely have a better match in the future."

"He also said that even if all the men in the world were blind and didn't know your worth, he, as your brother, would support you for a lifetime, and would definitely let you live a peaceful and worry-free life."

When Yingchun heard this, her pretty face turned crimson all of a sudden, and her usual elegant and indifferent expression disappeared. The corners of her mouth curled slightly into a smile, and she was very bright and moving.

This was a huge number for an ordinary official, because Jia Cong's current real position was the Grade 5A Director of the Firearm Division, and his annual salary was less than two hundred taels.

If it weren't for the fact that the descendants of the Rongguo were getting worse with each generation, not good at management, and wasting money on luxury, the income had decreased over the years, and there was some deficit.

Xiuju continued: "When Sister Sister Sister Hupo told me, her eyes were red. She said that the person she envies most now is you, saying that you are a very blessed person."

Relying on the wealth accumulated over these generations, they wouldn't be poor no matter what.

The title assets of a Count in the Great Zhou were between 1,000 and 1,500 shi of grain annually. A hereditary count was the most noble among titles of the same rank, but the imperial title assets were low, only 1,000 shi.

The two agricultural estates could produce 1,000 shi of grain and other property annually, worth about 5,000 taels of silver. Adding in losses from weather and long-distance transportation, the annual silver income was no less than 4,000 taels.

However, the current Count Lord Weiyuan's mansion had a simple population, just Jia Cong and the maids in his room, even adding the dozens of newly bought family slaves, there were not many people.

He was not the type to indulge in luxury, so with an annual title asset income of more than 4,000 taels, and a renovated Count's Mansion, it was enough for him to live a very comfortable life.

In fact, weighing it carefully, it could be considered a kind of fairness, because compared to titles that were inherited with a reduction in rank, hereditary titles were shared with the country, looking at long-term interests.

Of course, the title assets of Count Lord Weiyuan and the title assets of the Rongguo were still far apart, although Jia She inherited the title with a reduction in rank, the official title assets were reduced, but they were still far higher than 1,000 shi.

Rongqing Hall.

Having such a capable brother who was willing to protect her and stand up for her wholeheartedly.

Just as the renovation of the Ningguo was nearing its end, it coincided with the Imperial Household Department transferring the bestowed Grade 2 Count Lord Weiyuan title assets to Jia Cong.

And the two large agricultural estates that provided 1,000 shi of title assets were selected.

It was just that the trees wanted to be still, but the wind wouldn't stop. The news of him receiving the title assets from the Imperial Household Department spread, and it caused some trouble again...

According to the officials of the Imperial Household Department, because the Marquis Lord Weiyuan had made contributions outside the Liaodong Pass, these two title asset agricultural estates were selected from the most fertile land.

Yingchun looked blankly at the yellowed Song Dynasty chess manual in her hand, her eyes suddenly a little red, and she said softly: "I am quite blessed to have such a brother."

The title assets obtained should naturally be the lowest.

Moreover, the Rongguo had continued for several generations, relying on title assets to generate many shops and fertile fields, and the value of these properties was still above the title assets.

Today, many descendants of the eight branches of the Love Shenjing came, all to see the old ancestor of the Jia family, and brought many seasonal gifts, making the scene very lively.

As soon as Jia Cong followed Sister Sister Hupo, who came to summon him, into the Rongqing Hall, many clansmen stood up with a look of diligence, some calling him Brother Cong, some calling him Brother Cong, and some calling him Uncle Cong.

These were descendants of the Jia family's Wen, Yu, and Cao generations. Jia Cong didn't know most of them, and there were a few familiar faces that he estimated he had seen at the clan sacrifices, but he couldn't call their names.

Only two people he knew: Jia Xiao and Jia Qiang of the Ningguo line.

Jia Qiang had once schemed for the position of manager of the firearm workshop, which made Jia Cong feel that there must be some unpredictable intentions behind this.

And Jia Xiao had contributed greatly to promoting his transfer to the Ningguo line, naturally wanting to seek some benefits from it.

In short, in Jia Cong's mind, neither of these two were good things.

Now that these collateral descendants had gathered in the Rongqing Hall, and Jia Mu had specifically called him over to talk, Jia Cong could probably guess what was going on.

Jia Xiao should be the one in charge among these people, and he heard Jia Mu say: "Xiao Ge'er, whatever you have to say, just say it directly to Cong Ge'er. You are all brothers of the same clan, so there is no need to avoid anything."

Today, Jia Mu was somewhat unhappy. She had originally thought that the descendants of the clan knew how to be filial and had specifically brought gifts to see her.

As a result, Jia Xiao and the others said a lot of nice things, but finally the topic circled back to Jia Cong. Jia Mu realized that they were not interested in her, and she had actually been used as a pawn.

This was also helpless. Who let this grandson of hers be in the limelight recently, as if the whole world was revolving around him.

Jia Xiao had a smile on his face, which actually made him look more like an elder, not losing too much momentum in front of this newly granted young count.

He said: "Cong Ge'er, now that our clan has produced such an outstanding figure like you, it is truly the protection of our Jia family's ancestors."

"I was just saying to the old lady that you have a big family and business now. Although you have an elder brother, Lian Ge'er, the affairs of the Rongguo are enough to keep him busy, so I'm afraid he can't help you."

"You don't have anyone to help you by your side. If this continues for a long time, how can this be?"

"As the saying goes, brothers are the best for fighting tigers, and father and son are the best for going to battle. The elders and descendants of the several branches in the Love Shenjing all flow with the blood of the two dukes of Ning and Rong, and are all your closest blood relatives."

The collateral descendants on the side echoed this one after another, and even Jia Mu, who was sitting in the seat of honor, frowned.

This grandson of hers had made his fortune now, and look at how shrewd his threshold was—not even a person could be squeezed into the Count's Mansion.

Her own Rongguo hadn't even benefited, and these collateral descendants were rushing to squeeze up. Were they even related? Let's see how this kid handles it.

Jia Xiao saw that his words didn't seem to move Jia Cong at all, and seeing that he had no expression on his face, just looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze, made Jia Xiao feel a little empty in his heart.

However, he had already said half of what he had to say and could not give up halfway.

Ever since the Ningguo was stripped of its title and confiscated, these Ningguo playboys had been living a miserable life.

The property of this Rongguo was watched tightly by Feng Jie'er in the mansion. She was a rare heroine among women, and ten men were no match for her.

People like Jia Xiao couldn't find even a half-inch gap in front of Feng Jie, except to bring humiliation upon themselves.

Now the Jia family had produced another big tree to climb, and he was so young. Although he was outstanding in civil and military affairs outside,

he might not be proficient in the affairs of the household, at least he couldn't be as fierce and scary as that Feng Jie'er.

Therefore, how could Jia Xiao and the others miss such an opportunity?

Jia Xiao saw that Jia Cong's expression showed neither joy nor anger, so he hesitated in his words.

He said: "Cong Ge'er, we heard that the title assets bestowed by the imperial court to the Count's Mansion have been released. According to the rules of the older generation, they must be shops and agricultural estates."

"These title assets must be managed by reliable people to have good profits and harvests. Now the world outside is chaotic, and people's hearts are unpredictable. How can it be appropriate to ask outsiders to manage them?"

"Naturally, only descendants of the same bloodline can be trusted. I have discussed it with several capable men in the clan, and we want to help Cong Ge'er manage the title assets. No matter what, we have to help you grow this family business."

Jia Cong smiled slightly: "It's hard for Uncle Xiao to have this intention."

Jia Xiao hurriedly laughed: "Cong Ge'er, these words are too distant. We are all relatives of the same clan. Isn't this what should be done?"

He saw that Jia Cong didn't show any opposition, and he couldn't help but be secretly happy, just feeling that this matter was basically done.

So he took advantage of the heat to ask: "Cong Ge'er, I don't know how much title assets the Emperor bestowed this time. You have made such great military contributions, the location of those title assets must be in some good places."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "The Emperor bestowed 1,000 shi as title assets, which are two extremely good large agricultural estates."

Jia Xiao heard 1,000 shi, and they were extremely good agricultural estates, and a greedy look appeared in his eyes.

He hurriedly asked again: "Are these two agricultural estates in Tongzhou?"

Jia Cong smiled and shook his head.

Jia Xiao asked again: "Then it must be in Dezhou?"

Tongzhou and Dezhou were both adjacent to the Love Shenjing, and many noble title assets in the capital were in those two places, which was why Jia Xiao asked this.

Jia Cong laughed: "The fertile fields in Tongzhou and Dezhou were mostly distributed years ago, and it's not my turn."

Jia Xiao saw Jia Cong's relaxed smile and felt that he had guessed something, and couldn't help but happily say: "Could it be in Jiangnan, Jinling, and other places? That place is very rich!"

The descendants of the Jia family who came with him heard that Jia Cong's title assets were actually bestowed in the rich places of Jiangnan, and they were all overjoyed.

That Jiangnan Jinling place was not only rich in the world, but also a first-class world of flowers and willows, and there were these title assets to eat and take. It was truly a good life coming!

Jia Cong looked at the faces of Jia Xiao and the others and said: "These two agricultural estates are outside the Liaodong Pass, near Pantuo City."

Jia Xiao was thinking about going to Jiangnan to help Jia Cong manage the title assets, and in that kind of rich world of flowers and willows, he could save up a family business in a few years.

Hearing Jia Cong's words, Jia Xiao was stunned: "What... the agricultural estates are outside the Liaodong Pass, so far away, and what kind of place is Pantuo City?"

Jia Cong looked at Jia Xiao and the others and smiled warmly: "Cong was granted the title only after making contributions in Liaodong. Liaodong is a pretty good place."

"It's just that the place is winter for half a year, and the breath turns to ice, which is much colder than the Love Shenjing. Pantuo City is a big city of the Jurchens, which I personally captured with my troops."

"The Jurchens once killed countless old and weak there, and once piled up corpses like mountains. That place is actually not too far from the Love Shenjing, it takes two months by carriage."

"There are not many people in that place, and occasionally there will be Liaodong bandits looting, but now tens of thousands of Great Zhou troops have been stationed there to guard it. If you are careful in your daily life, you won't easily lose your life."

"If Uncle Xiao is willing to take the descendants of the clan to manage the two agricultural estates, Cong would truly be begging for it, and can send you off immediately."

"All travel expenses will be borne by me, but Cong has one requirement: you must hand over 5,000 taels of title asset profit silver every year for managing these two agricultural estates."

"Even brothers must settle accounts clearly. I have to say this in advance..."

Jia Mu looked at Jia Xiao and the other descendants with sympathetic eyes and shook her head helplessly. In the past two years, she had seen enough of Jia Cong's strange methods.

Whenever there was something that wanted to scheme against him, she had never seen him suffer a loss, only seen those who schemed against him have bad luck.

With Xiao Ge'er's brain, he still wanted to take advantage of this rebellious beast, so he could just wait to be trampled by him.

Yuanyang on the side had a flushed face, her big eyes looking at Jia Cong, and she held back her laughter.

Only heard Jia Mu say: "I am also tired, Yuanyang, help me in to rest."

Yuanyang smiled and replied: "Okay, Old Lady."

Jia Cong's words made the faces of Jia Xiao and the others look extremely ugly.

That place takes two months by carriage, it's winter for half a year, and many people have died there, and there are Liaodong bandits looting. Are we going there to be sent to the army?

And, 1,000 shi in total is only 5,000 taels. You want us to hand it all over, what will we eat ourselves...

Jia Cong asked again: "Uncle Xiao, I was prepared to buy a dozen farming households to go and manage the agricultural estates. If you are willing to go, I can buy fewer households."

Jia Xiao: "..."

"Cong Ge'er, this is a big matter, it cannot be rash. I think it's better to discuss it in the long term, let's go back and calculate it..."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 325 =====