Chapter 499: Convicted and Waiting for Title Inheritance

Da Zhou Imperial Palace, Qianyang Palace.

In the empty hall, the beast tripod and copper crane spat out curling incense, like orchids and musk, making people feel refreshed and calm.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao flipped through the memorial submitted by Jia Cong and looked at the young man standing below, feeling a bit surprised in his heart.

He summoned Jia Cong to the palace today, one for Jia Cong's memorial to plead for his elder brother.

Second, he heard that Jia Cong had made improvements to the breech-loading gun construction, which made Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, who was looking forward to the new firearm, eager to hear about it.

It was just that he did not expect that as soon as Jia Cong entered the hall, he presented the memorial he had written long ago, which described the breech-loading gun improvement in detail and was accompanied by two newly drawn drawings.

This memorial used concise words and detailed descriptions. I think Jia Cong spent a lot of effort, and the two drawings with complex lines and fine workmanship were also annotated with text, making people clear at a glance.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao waved his hand to screen off the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the hall, leaving only Guo Lin on the side.

He smiled and said: "You really understand my thoughts, knowing that I am concerned about the research and development of the breech-loading gun, you wrote the memorial and drew the drawings early."

Jia Cong replied: "I know the Emperor's wish for the country's grand plan and decided to build the army and strengthen the country with the art of firearms. Although I resigned due to mourning, I dare not slack off on the research and development of firearms.

I invited Liu Shizhen to the mansion to talk about the construction of the breech-loading gun a few days ago, and also went to the firearm workshop outside the city to check the casting of breech-loading gun parts, but the overall progress was quite unsatisfactory.

The reason is that the forging difficulty of the key parts of the breech-loading gun is extremely high. With Da Zhou's current forging skills, it seems a bit difficult to reach. If no simplified improvements are made, the construction will definitely be long-lasting.

So I made simplified improvements to the extremely difficult forging parts of the breech-loading gun, changed the original all-copper gun bullet to a paper-wrapped gun bullet, and changed the original copper primer ignition to needle-type ignition.

This can greatly reduce the difficulty of building the breech-loading gun. According to my estimation, after this improvement, it may be possible to build a sample gun within half a year."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had heard from the workshop steward Guo Huai that it would take at least a year to make a sample of the breech-loading gun on the drawing.

But Guo Huai was only a bystander after all, and his estimation of the construction progress would still have deviations.

Jia Cong, as the developer of the breech-loading gun, knew best the difficulty and time of construction. According to the long-lasting time he said, I am afraid that a year would not be enough.

And after he improved and optimized it again, he said that he could make a sample gun in half a year, which was half the time estimated by Guo Huai, making Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao both surprised and happy.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was excited and said: "According to your improved drawings, if you can make this object within half a year and add another military weapon to my Da Zhou, you will have made a great contribution.

You are currently mourning and resigned, but I still give you the power to decide on the Firearm Office, and all craftsmen below Liu Shizhen will be dispatched by you.

For the construction process of the breech-loading gun, you can ask Li Dekang of the Ministry of Works to assist with the materials and manpower needed, without having to report everything to me."

Jia Cong knew that Li Dekang of the Ministry of Works was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works two years ago, and he had some dealings with Jia Cong. This spring, the original Minister of Works retired due to old age, and Li Dekang was promoted to Minister of Works.

At the moment, the Firearm Office is affiliated with the Ministry of Works. Although the Firearm Office's affairs have great independence and confidentiality, the Minister of Works has no right to intervene, but according to official rules, Li Dekang is Jia Cong's immediate superior.

Now, because Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao opened his golden mouth, the dignified Minister of Works has become the transport captain of the Firearm Office, which shows how much Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao values the construction of the breech-loading gun.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said again: "The major case of salt and iron smuggling in Datong has broken out. After the Datong border army commander failed, he brazenly went north to defect to the Tu Man tribe Anda Khan.

The Ministry of War has received reports from border scouts that Anda Khan of the Tu Man tribe is accumulating strength and sharpening his knives, and is ultimately a hidden danger in the northwest border.

Since you presided over the Firearm Office, you have made many contributions. In the battle of pacifying the Liaodong Jurchens, the way of strengthening the army with firearms has already shown results. I hope you will show your strengths and add heavy weapons to the country. I will definitely not be stingy with rewards!"

Jia Cong understood a little why Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao valued the construction of the breech-loading gun so much, which was naturally related to the current situation.

Sun Zhanying's brazen defection to the Tu Man tribe Anda Khan did not look like a hasty move, which must have made the Ministry of War of Da Zhou vigilant, and the Northern Barbarian trouble in the northwest border began to enter the vision of Da Zhou's monarch and ministers.

Because of the record of pacifying the Jurchens in Liaodong, the new type of firearm with sharp killing effect, since it can deal with the Jurchens with fast horses and sharp knives, it can naturally deal with the Mongols who are also a horse tribe.

Therefore, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao paid high attention to the breech-loading firearm with higher killing power than the improved Lu Mi gun.

Jia Cong replied: "I am an official of the imperial court. Serving the country and sharing worries for the Emperor, I will definitely do my best and dare not have the slightest slack."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at the two memorials Jia Cong submitted on the imperial desk and thought for a while.

He said: "You once wrote to plead for your elder brother Jia Lian, but the Datong salt and iron case involves many noble families, and one hair affects the whole body. Because the situation was unclear, I could not decide on the strategy of disposal, so I did not respond.

Now I grant your request. Because of your contribution to building new firearms, I waive Jia Lian's death penalty and judge him to be exiled to redeem his crime by the three judicial offices."

Jia Cong felt relieved when he heard Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's words. The Emperor waived Jia Lian's death penalty, which meant that Jia She's crimes of smuggling salt and iron and stealing firearms were finally revealed by the Emperor.

Therefore, the damage and impact of this matter on himself and the Jia family were finally eliminated. His planning was not in vain.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said again: "I know that you have quite a prestige in Liaodong. I will pass an oral order to the Dali Temple to exile Jia Lian to Liaodong to serve, so that it will be convenient for you to look after him, so that he will not make trouble again."

Jia Cong felt awe in his heart when he heard this. Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's move was to show grace to him, but mentioning that he had quite a prestige in Liaodong, there was no lack of hints and warnings.

Because he swept away the Jurchens in Liaodong, the Liaodong border army, from Regional Commander Liang Chengzong to generals Liu Yongzheng, Deng Hui, Wei Yongzhou, etc., all had deep relationships with him, and there was a trend of leaning toward him.

Jia Cong's nurse, Aunt Zhao's son, Guo Zhigui, is still a team leader in the firearm camp in the Liaodong army.

Fortunately, Jia Cong and these people were just comrades who went to the battlefield together, and there was no overstepping, nor was he afraid of being caught by anyone…….

……

Rongguo Mansion, Fengjie Courtyard.

Wang Xifeng sat on the kang under the south window in the inner room, leaning on a brocade backrest, her right hand resting on a pillow. Although she was dressed in silk, the jewelry on her head was simple, and the makeup on her face was light.

Although Jia Lian's matter had no result, Wang Xifeng was worried in her heart, but fortunately, she became pregnant at the time of danger, which made her heart settle down for the most part.

Now she pays more attention to maintenance, and has handed over the daily household management, walking less and having more leisure every day, and her complexion and spirit are obviously much better than when Jia Lian's incident first happened.

The maid Feng'er lifted the door curtain and entered, with a bowl of silver ear and bird's nest soup on the tray.

Wang Xifeng asked: "Ping'er went to the East Mansion early in the morning. Why hasn't she come back after most of the day?"

Feng'er asked: "Second Grandmother, should I go to the East Mansion to call Sister Ping'er back?"

Wang Xifeng said: "Forget it, she is a bird that will move sooner or later, why urge her again."

The master and servant were talking, and a slender and graceful shadow appeared on the window paper facing south, accompanied by familiar footsteps.

The door curtain of the inner room was lifted, revealing Ping'er's smiling and pretty face.

Wang Xifeng sneered: "You just sent a basket of lychees over, and you haven't seen anyone until the sun sets. I think you haven't gone over yet, and your heart has already flown away.

You are willing to come back now. Did you encounter any good things? Could it be that Brother Cong has already given you sweetness?"

Ping'er blushed and said: "Grandmother is talking nonsense again. If people hear it, I have no face to be a person.

I saw Cong Sanye in the East Mansion, which delayed the time, but it was indeed a good thing."

Wang Xifeng was stunned when she heard Ping'er say that there was really a good thing. She thought, this little lecher Third Brother Cong, but he really has already touched Ping'er…….

Ping'er didn't notice Wang Xifeng's expression and said: "When I went to the East Mansion in the morning, I just saw Cong Sanye, and a message came from outside, saying that the palace eunuch had arrived at the mansion to summon Cong Sanye to enter the palace to see the Emperor.

I thought about Cong Sanye's memorial to plead for Bao Er Ye, and the Emperor wanted to see Cong Sanye, so it might be related to this, so I didn't dare to come back and waited for news in Cong Sanye's courtyard."

Wang Xifeng was happy when she heard this and hurriedly asked: "Since you came back now, did you get the news? What is the saying?"

Ping'er smiled: "Cong Sanye just came back from the palace to see the Emperor and said that because he made contributions, the Emperor showed grace and waived Bao Er Ye's death penalty, only letting the three judicial offices judge the punishment of exile.

And he also took special care to let Bao Er Ye be exiled to Liaodong to serve."

Wang Xifeng felt relieved when she heard that Jia Lian was waived from the death penalty. Her face just showed joy, and she felt a lot of worry again.

She said: "Why exile to Liaodong so far? That place is freezing cold. How can a person like Bao Er Ye stay there? Is this also the Emperor's special care?"

Ping'er persuaded: "Now that Bao Er Ye is in trouble, as long as he saves his life, it is a long-term matter, and there is no way to care about others.

Cong Sanye said that he was granted a title for his merits in Liaodong, and many generals in Liaodong are comrades of Cong Sanye, so it is convenient for Cong Sanye to look after Bao Er Ye, which is much more reliable than going to other places."

Wang Xifeng felt relieved when she heard this and said: "I forgot this. Third Brother made his fortune in Liaodong, and even half of the East Mansion's title property is in Liaodong.

That place really has Third Brother's foundation. Bao Er Ye can rest assured when he goes there. Even if it is freezing cold, it is enough to let him bring more silver and clothes."

Ping'er smiled: "Now that Bao Er Ye's matter has landed, Grandmother can also put down most of her heart, and it is most important to raise the fetus well."

Wang Xifeng sighed: "After this incident, I finally understand. When Bao Er Ye had an accident, Grandmother and Master were also heartbroken and anxious, but they couldn't use half a force. At the critical moment, it was still Third Brother's face in front of the Emperor that helped Bao Er Ye save his life."

Ping'er smiled: "It is Bao Er Ye who is a blessed person, having a brother like Cong Sanye to help."

Wang Xifeng scolded with a smile: "Look at how proud you are, you must be happy in your heart. I gave you such a big gold ingot, you girl, don't forget me in the blink of an eye after climbing a high branch."

Ping'er blushed and said: "Look at what Grandmother said, am I such a heartless person."

Wang Xifeng smiled: "This is really hard to say. I saw it early. Third Brother's ability to coax women is probably no worse than his ability to be an official. If you fall into his hands, you will lose your way sooner or later.

Whether you have a conscience in the future is really hard to say, but no matter what, I let him get you, so he must remember my goodness."

……

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Ping'er got the news that Jia Lian was waived from death, and Yingchun naturally told Jia Mu early.

Jia Mu and Jia Zheng felt relieved when they heard the news. Jia Lian committed the crime of smuggling salt and iron at the border, and it was a great fortune to save his life. They never expected Jia Lian to retreat completely.

Although he still could not escape the fate of being exiled to the border, Jia Mu and Jia Zheng still had some knowledge, knowing that Jia Cong was granted a title for his merits in Liaodong, and even the East Mansion's title property foundation was in Liaodong.

They were born in a high-gate mansion and heard too many such things daily. Many high officials and nobles were convicted and exiled, and because they were unfamiliar with the place and had no one to look after them, they all died in a foreign land.

Jia Lian was exiled to Liaodong, which is equivalent to arriving at Jia Cong's territory, and he would definitely be able to get his brother's care and return to Shenjing alive in the future.

In Jia Mu's view, this is probably Jia Lian's best result. Thinking of Jia Cong, she felt some emotion. Although she was not close to this grandson, it happened that he was the most capable person in the family.

She said to Yuanyang beside her: "You go to the East Mansion to call Third Brother Cong to talk."

She also said to Yingchun: "Your brother has a foundation in the officialdom, so ask how many years Second Brother will go, and I don't know if I can wait for him to return home alive."

Yingchun comforted: "Grandmother will definitely live a long life and will naturally be able to wait for Second Brother to return home. Third Brother Cong just returned home from the palace, didn't sit for a while, and went to the workshop outside the city. Now he is not in the mansion."

Jia Mu wondered: "He is mourning and resigned, why does he still go out to handle official business?"

Yingchun said: "The reason why the Emperor waived Second Brother Lian's death penalty is because Third Brother made new firearms and made contributions.

Now that the Emperor's grace has been granted, Third Brother naturally shouldn't be slack. Although he lost his official position, the Firearm Office's affairs still need him to do."

Jia Zheng sighed with admiration when he heard this: "It is a great fortune that he is full of family etiquette and does not forget to work for the country, although there are descendants in the family who are not filial, but there is still Third Brother Cong."

Jia Mu felt uncomfortable when she heard her son's words. Her son said that the descendants were not filial, not only referring to Jia Lian, but mostly her Baoyu.

Jia Mu thought that the Rongguo Mansion had suffered bad things one after another recently, first the eldest son died, and then the eldest grandson committed a major crime, almost losing his life.

But even so, the boy in the East Mansion could still turn the tide, and everything he did was brilliant.

Jia Mu thought of Jia Cong's glory, and then thought of Baoyu who was still recuperating in the room, and couldn't help but sigh.

……

Daiyu, Baochai, Seeing Tan Chun, and other sisters were also happy when they heard the news of Jia Lian.

After all, Jia Lian is a brother in the same mansion. Although he is a bit absurd and playboy, he is kind to people and has a good reputation among the sisters.

Probably only Lady Wang in the family did not care about this matter. She could also guess that Jia Lian was exiled to Liaodong, and with Jia Cong's care, he would definitely be able to return to Shenjing peacefully.

If her niece gave birth to a boy again, then the eldest son of the elder branch would be complete, and with the support of the boy in the West Mansion, he would probably take away a lot of Baoyu's family property in the future.

Thinking of these, Lady Wang could not help but add a lot of ridiculous melancholy because of her foresight.

……

In the following period, the restlessness caused by a series of disasters in the East and West Mansions of the Jia family gradually subsided and seemed to disappear without a trace.

And a series of major events happened outside, constantly trembling and moving the nerves of many people in Love Shenjing.

Meanwhile, a series of major events occurred outside, continuously shaking and stirring the nerves of many in the Love Shenjing.

For the Datong Regional Commander Qian Shaoyang involved in the case, 32 middle and lower-level military officers in the Datong army were involved, and Xie Jing, Qi Jianhui, Qiu Liang, Jia Lian, and other criminals were sentenced.

Datong Regional Commander Qian Shaoyang, because he held a high position, shielded and indulged his subordinates, was corrupt and lawless, and killed people, was set as the first criminal of the major case, executed, his family confiscated, and his family members sold and sent to the army.

The four noble descendants involved in the Datong border army were stripped of their qualifications to inherit titles, removed from the clan records, never used again, and exiled to Yun-Gui for 20 years.

Xie Jing, Qi Jianhui, and Qiu Liang, the three hereditary military nobles, because they participated in the Datong salt and iron smuggling and sought huge profits, had serious crimes and were executed according to the law.

Because the Emperor pitied the ancestors of Xie Jing, Qi Jianhui, and Qiu Liang for their merits to the country, and their fathers had fought on the battlefield, they were granted grace and waived their death penalty.

Xie Jing and Qi Jianhui were stripped of their second-class male titles, exiled to Nanyue for 20 years, and their sons were demoted by three grades to inherit the Yunjie Lieutenant.

Qiu Liang was exiled to labor in Qiongzhou for 20 years, and Jia Lian of the Rongguo Mansion was exiled to labor in Liaodong for 15 years.

The main criminal of the Datong salt and iron smuggling case, Sun Zhanying, fled in fear of crime, went north to betray the country and defect to the enemy, and his crime was unforgivable, and his three clans were exterminated.

The news of the sentencing of the criminals in the salt and iron case spread, causing shock in the entire Love Shenjing.

Among the criminals, Qian Shaoyang, who had the highest official position and was the only one executed, was ignored by no one, died quietly, and the dignified second-grade border official had a very miserable end.

The most concerned by the nobles in the court and the public were Xie Jing and Qi Jianhui.

The titles of the two noble families were demoted by three grades from second-class male to Yunjie Lieutenant. The noble titles of the family were almost stripped to the end. Although they kept their noble titles and retained the face of the family, their decline was inevitable.

However, it was already an extra grace from the Emperor that the hereditary nobles who committed major crimes could keep their lives. Falling into the noble title and demoting the title is a common practice of the Da Zhou clan, and no one can pick out any faults.

As for the four descendants of the Datong army, they were only stripped of their qualifications to inherit titles and exiled to the border, which had almost no impact on their families, but was a very good ending.

It is said that after the Dali Temple's sentencing document was issued, the heads of these four noble families even submitted a memorial to thank the grace.

Among all the criminals, Jia Lian had the lowest sentence. Others were exiled for 20 years, but only he was exiled for 15 years.

Only Jia Cong, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, Xu Kun, and others knew clearly that even if it was exile for 15 years, it was a heavy sentence for Jia Lian, because he was only taking the blame for his father.

Only Jia Cong, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, Xu Kun, and a few others knew clearly that even a fifteen-year exile was a heavy sentence for Jia Lian, as he was merely serving as a scapegoat for his father.

Later, I don't know from what channel the news spread that the Count Weiyuan Jia Cong had developed a new type of firearm, which was highly praised by the Emperor, so he pushed grace to his brother Jia Lian, making him waive death and demote his crime.

Many people realized that the originally unknown Jia Lian was actually the brother of the young Count who was deeply favored by the Emperor.

And Jia Lian's sentence reduction was the Emperor's holy will. Who would dare to say more about this?

The clansmen of Xie Jing, Qi Jianhui, Qiu Liang, and others quickly lost their voices collectively, for fear that disaster would come from their mouths, and even the last Yunjie Lieutenant would be stripped by the royal family.

……

Five days after the Dali Temple's sentencing document was issued, Jia Lian embarked on the journey of exile to the north.

Jia Cong took Jia Yun and other collateral descendants of Rongguo to protect Wang Xifeng's carriage and horses, and sent them all the way to outside the Hongde Gate of Shenjing.

The few Dali Temple yamen runners who escorted Jia Lian had long received the instructions of Yang Hongbin, the Dali Temple Judge, and took good care of Jia Lian all the way.

These yamen runners received the generous gold and silver sent by Jia Cong, and were even more afraid of Jia Cong's prestige in Shenjing, all of them guaranteed with their chests that they would definitely send Bao Er Ye Lian to Liaodong without any damage.

Jia Cong also handed the letter written to Liang Chengzong to Jia Lian to pass on. With this letter, as long as Jia Lian did not cause trouble in Liaodong, he would definitely be safe and worry-free.

Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng said goodbye to each other, each with some sadness. Fortunately, the couple left a bloodline. After 15 years, their temples would probably be starry, but everything in the world has a cause, so they can only recognize their fate.

……

After Jia Lian was exiled to the north, the slight sorrow brought to the Rongguo Mansion gradually faded away after not many days, and seemed to disappear without a trace.

Even Jia Mu gradually put down her concern for her eldest grandson, because for Jia Mu, Lady Wang, Jia Zheng, and others, there was one thing more important than Jia Lian's misfortune.

The heir of the Rongguo elder branch had fallen, and the inheritance of the Rongguo Mansion's title would be announced to the second branch according to the rules, but there was no movement in the palace, which was really unusual.

For the masters of the Rongguo Mansion like Jia Mu, the old worries had just gone, and new worries were heavily pressing on their hearts……. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 500 =====

For Jia Mu and the other heads of the Rongguo Prefecture, the old sorrows had just faded, and new worries were once again pressing heavily upon their hearts... (End of chapter)