Chapter 501: Fortune and Misfortune are Self-Invited

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu saw that her words were flatly refused by Jia Cong, and in front of the old and young in the family, she didn't even leave herself a step.

Jia Mu was pale with anger and said fiercely: "You are really so cold-hearted. I know that the eldest master and eldest mistress are a bit unkind to you, but there are no parents who are not right in the world.

Even if they have something bad, that's it. You arrived at the West Mansion at the age of ten. Have I, the grandmother, treated you badly? Zheng'er treats you better than his own son. Have you forgotten all of this?

Your brother committed such a big crime, and you still saved his life with a memorial. The inheritance of the Lady Rongguo title is just a matter of course. Is it harder than Lady Lian'er's matter?

Do you really not care about the family affection and be so ruthless and ignore it!"

Jia Mu's words were sharp, and the atmosphere in Rongqing Hall suddenly became difficult and cold, and the minds of everyone present became solemn.

With Jia Cong's rapid rise in the Jia family in the past two years, now that he has established a mansion and his official title is heavy, except for Jia Mu, the grandmother, no one in the Jia family has the confidence to say a heavy word to him.

Wang Wang Xifeng heard Jia Mu exert her grandmother's power, and only sneered in her heart. Third Brother Cong is polite on the surface, but he is a cold and hard-to-eat person inside.

Jia Mu didn't say to smooth the hair and handle things, but said such stiff words. If Third Brother Cong still pays attention to this matter, it's really a ghost.

Seeing Tan Chun on the side heard Jia Mu's words and felt anxious in her heart. Why did Grandmother say such hard words? Since Third Brother established the East Mansion, he has been gradually alienated from the West Mansion.

It's just that he is good to the sisters in the family, and he hasn't neglected the daily etiquette. Grandmother said these cruel words, isn't she pushing Third Brother further and further away?

Lady Wang heard Jia Mu's lesson and felt a bit happy in her heart, thinking that although the boy was granted a title and established a mansion, Grandmother was his own grandmother.

Even if he was granted a duke or king title, he couldn't cross the filial piety of his grandmother. Otherwise, if the name of disobedience spread, even the palace would be difficult to protect him.

Jia Cong heard Jia Mu's words and seemed not to care at all, saying indifferently: "Now Second Brother is convicted and has lost the qualification to inherit the title. The Lady Rongguo title is mostly 'elder brother ends, younger brother succeeds,' and the Master will inherit the title.

Grandmother asked me to submit a memorial to the palace, but there is no reason for a junior to seek a title for an elder. Not only is it against etiquette, but the Master's face will also be difficult to look at.

If the Master is the heir, there is naturally no reason for him to submit a memorial to seek the title himself. So this matter is inappropriate, and Cong really can't do it."

Jia Cong's words, everyone present felt reasonable, and there is no reason for a nephew to submit a memorial to seek a title for his uncle. If it is said, it is too ridiculous.

As long as such a memorial from Jia Cong comes out, I am afraid that it will immediately become a laughing stock in the court, not only laughing at Jia Cong for not knowing etiquette, but also laughing at the Jia family for being ignorant.

Seeing Tan Chun, Wang Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and others saw Jia Cong's light reply, and the tense atmosphere caused by Jia Mu's sword-drawn-and-bow-bent words was immediately eliminated.

They all heard that Jia Cong didn't want to get involved in this matter at all, but the reason was reasonable and reasonable, making people unable to find a flaw.

Wang Wang Xifeng secretly criticized that in the past few years, whenever Third Brother Cong was unhappy, he would speak in such a yin-and-yang way, and there was no handle to grab, which always made people have no place to bite.

Jia Mu was not angered to death by him, which can be considered a long life and a strong body.

……

Jia Mu was full of depression, a breath of old air stuck in her chest, and she couldn't disperse it no matter what.

If it weren't for the fact that this boy had a face in front of the Emperor, why would she have to beg him.

Lady Wang on the side heard Jia Cong's words, although she couldn't pick any fault in reason, she felt that Jia Cong was jealous of the second branch's power because of the elder branch's failure.

It was clear that he was intentionally not helping the second branch to seek the title. This made Lady Wang very angry. Her master had always treated him better than Jia Baoyu, and even gave him the family's green rhinoceros armor, but he had no conscience.

According to the Imperial Clan ritual law, the second branch inheriting the title is a matter of course. With this boy making trouble, can he still stop this matter! Lady Wang had a breath of air in her chest, and suddenly her brain flashed, and she came up with an idea.

Her words were full of joy, saying: "Since Brother Cong said that he is a junior and not suitable for submitting a memorial to seek a title, there is a more proper way.

In the whole mansion, only Grandmother is a super-grade state lady, with the most noble status. Submitting a memorial to the imperial court, mother seeking a title for her son, to inherit the family business, is the most logical."

Jia Mu heard this and her eyes lit up. After a long time, she went far away. Her status as a state lady was not a decoration. This evil obstacle borrowed excuses to push away, it was better for her to handle it simply.

Wang Wang Xifeng heard this and was a bit surprised. She didn't expect her aunt to have such wit.

Jia Cong heard Lady Wang's words, the corners of his mouth just pulled slightly, but he didn't say a word. He didn't want to leave a handle, so that in the future, when Jia Mu submitted a memorial to the imperial court, he would also have an idea.

Jia Lady Lian was convicted and exiled to the north, and more than a month had passed, and the Lady Rongguo title inheritance was still without news. Jia Mu and Lady Wang didn't know the root cause, so they would only guess blindly, but Jia Cong knew the bad omen of the Lady Rongguo title inheritance.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Jia Cong all knew deeply that the person who led the theft of firearms in Liaodong and the smuggling of salt and iron in Deng Hongchun fur was Jia She.

Jia Lady Lian was just a scapegoat for Jia She because of his father's orders.

Because Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao wanted to use Jia She's death to seize the marriage between Jia Cong and the Jin Ling Zhen family, he could only hide Jia She's crimes.

The inside story of this can only be understood, not spoken. Jia Cong would not tell the root cause to the ignorant women like Jia Mu and Lady Wang.

If they made a branch, dismantled Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's stage, and hurt the Retired Emperor's face, even he would be difficult to clean up.

Since Lady Wang was so enthusiastic about the second branch inheriting the title, and he had no reason to stop it, let them toss.

Lady Wang saw that she had come up with a good idea, Jia Mu looked satisfied, and Jia Cong on the side looked like he was stunned and couldn't say a word.

She couldn't help but feel proud in her heart, feeling that her idea broke Jia Cong's attempt to

She couldn't help but feel proud, thinking that her idea had broken Jia Cong's attempt to secretly obstruct the second branch from inheriting the title, which truly made her heart feel happy.

Although this kid has been smooth sailing for the past two years, being granted a title and becoming an official, he is after all only a teenager. How could he be experienced in everything? He can't occupy all the paths in the world.

Once her husband inherits the title, the Lady Rongguo Prefecture's title and assets will belong to the second branch. Jia Baoyu's future foundation will be first-rate and deep. The East and West Prefectures will be on equal footing, and neither will be weaker than the other.

Jia Mu did not have Lady Wang's narrow-minded thoughts, feeling that Jia Cong was deliberately making trouble to obstruct the second branch from inheriting the title.

She only thought that Jia Cong had been abused by his birth father and legal mother since childhood, so he had never been close to the family and had developed a shrewd and cold nature. As long as something harmed his own interests, this wicked child would not touch it at all.

However, she still recognized Jia Cong's ability in her heart. Seeing him remain silent about Lady Wang's proposal, she felt a bit suspicious.

She couldn't help but frown and ask, "Brother Cong, since you have so many concerns, I won't force you. Let me ask you, you often enter and leave the palace; do you think the method the Lady proposed is feasible?"

Before Jia Cong could answer, he saw Lady Wang looking at him with burning eyes, her gaze quite cold, as if she were worried he would speak out in opposition.

Jia Cong said, "The matter of inheriting the title in the family is not something a junior like me should speak about. Since it is a method the Lady thought of, I suppose it is good."

When Lady Wang heard this from Jia Cong, her face relaxed. Jia Mu said, "Then let's do it this way. When Zheng returns, have him write a memorial for me."

After everyone had finished discussing the important matters, they dispersed.

Wang Wang Xifeng and Ping'er walked out of the Rongqing Hall and saw Seeing Tan Chun accompanying Jia Cong as they headed toward the East Prefecture. She looked at Jia Cong's back, somewhat lost in thought.

Ping'er said, "The Cong Sanye cannot submit a memorial for the title for the prefecture; he has his reasons. Grandmother's words were a bit harsh, but fortunately, the Lady thought of a method, and the Cong Sanye also agreed."

Wang Wang Xifeng sneered, "The Cong Sanye is deep in thought. In my opinion, he doesn't think the Lady's method is good; he just wants to clear his name and doesn't want to get involved in this matter at all."

Wang Wang Xifeng's mind is exceptionally shrewd. Now that she views Jia Cong as her backer, she pays more attention to his every word and action than usual.

Thinking of how her aunt suggested Jia Mu personally submit a memorial for the title, Jia Cong's attitude was somewhat ambiguous, as if he were noncommittal, and he used the excuse that it was not appropriate for a junior to say too much.

She pondered left and right and felt there was something behind this...

After Jia Cong and Seeing Tan Chun passed through the small gate of the two prefectures' alley, and after entering the East Prefecture, Seeing Tan Chun said, "Does the Third Brother think that the Lady asking Grandmother to submit a memorial for the title is not very appropriate?"

Jia Cong was slightly stunned and turned his head to look at Seeing Tan Chun curiously. Her eyebrows were slender and thick, slightly raised, revealing a heroic and charming spirit, and her pair of bright eyes, full of autumn water, contained a charming and moving intent.

Seeing Tan Chun smiled slightly, "I was watching from the side; the Third Brother's thoughts cannot be hidden from me."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "The Third Sister is indeed shrewd. The situation in the West Prefecture is complicated. The old master has passed away, and the Second Brother has had an accident. The hereditary title will eventually fall to the second branch.

Grandmother and the Lady worry about this every day, but the decree for the title has been delayed in the palace, and they are already burning with anxiety.

Just now they wanted me to submit a memorial to the palace to request the title, which I refused. The Lady then came up with the idea of letting Grandmother, with the dignity of a super-grade noble lady, submit a memorial to the palace to request the title.

If I were to oppose it, Grandmother and the Lady would think I was deliberately obstructing them. Why should I be a villain in vain?"

Seeing Tan Chun asked, "The Lady Rongguo title cannot be inherited for a long time; does the Third Brother think something is going to happen?" Jia Cong found it difficult to explain the root cause to Seeing Tan Chun in detail, so he only replied, "When things are abnormal, there will mostly be complications. In any case, we juniors cannot worry about that."

Seeing Tan Chun suddenly blurted out, "Although the Second Brother Lady Lian had an accident, the main branch still has the Third Brother, this bloodline. In my opinion, you are the most qualified for this title.

It's a pity the Third Brother is too capable and earned a title for yourself early on."

Jia Cong laughed, "Third Sister, be careful with your words. If this reaches the Lady's ears and she develops a grudge against you, it won't be good for the future."

When Seeing Tan Chun heard this, her face turned slightly pale. Although Jia Cong didn't say it explicitly, the two siblings had a tacit understanding and naturally understood Jia Cong's meaning.

It was nothing more than the fact that the marriage and future of a concubine's daughter are all in the hands of the legal mother. If Seeing Tan Chun showed favoritism toward Jia Cong and made Lady Wang dislike her, and if she caused trouble in her marriage in the future, the girl's whole life would be ruined.

Seeing Tan Chun bit her red lips with her white teeth and said, "I admire the Third Brother the most. We are both born of concubines, but the brother relied on his own ability to earn a future, and no one can control you.

I only hate that I am not a man; otherwise, I would definitely follow the Third Brother to accomplish a career!"

Jia Cong discovered that as Seeing Tan Chun spoke, her bright eyes were looking at him, and her gaze was full of earnest and admiring feelings, as well as a trace of indescribable affection.

However, Jia Cong didn't take it too much to heart. He was a person of two lifetimes, and his inner accumulation was far beyond that of a teenager.

He naturally understood that it was normal for a teenage girl, with her youthful blood, to have strange feelings for a close person of the opposite sex of the same age. When time settled and passed, it would naturally dissipate.

Jia Cong smiled, "The world always has prejudices, feeling that women can only be trapped in the inner house. I think that if a daughter has ambitions, she can be no less than a man."

When Seeing Tan Chun heard this, she felt warm and comfortable in her heart. Her bright eyes flickered slightly, and she said, "No wonder the Third Brother thinks this way. I know that the Third Brother's Xinchun Bank has that Miss Qu as the chief manager.

People outside all say she is the only female merchant of the Imperial Household Department. The Third Brother handed over the entire business to her to manage. In just a few years, Xinchun Bank has made such a big scene. Miss Qu is truly remarkable.

Just as the Third Brother said, if a daughter has ambitions, she can be no less than a man. I admire Miss Qu so much, and I wish I could be like her one day."

Seeing Tan Chun's expression was a bit dim, and she said, "But I was born in a noble family, yet I don't have the freedom of Miss Qu. I can only stay in the inner courtyard for the rest of my life.

Although I have an aunt and brothers, they are not intelligent people. I have worried a lot in secret, but it is useless in the end, and I have no arm to rely on in the future."

Jia Cong smiled slightly, "Third Sister, you don't need to worry. I will protect you in the future, and I guarantee that you will be satisfied. It's just that the person who can match the Third Sister must be an outstanding person in the world.

Even if you want to be like Miss Qu in the future, perhaps it is not impossible..."

When Seeing Tan Chun heard Jia Cong say "I will protect you in the future," she felt indescribable joy and pride, and when she heard him say that only an outstanding person in the world could match her, she felt even more moved.

She was, after all, young, and she was somewhat shy when talking about marriage. She unconsciously recited the words "outstanding person in the world," feeling her heart pounding like a deer, and couldn't help but turn her head to look at Jia Cong.

Seeing his eyebrows and eyes were unparalleled and handsome, and he was looking straight ahead without noticing her strangeness, she felt slightly relieved, but her pretty face was already flushed, charming and heroic, even more so than before.

Seeing Tan Chun said earnestly, "I will keep these words of the Third Brother in my heart. You are not allowed to coax me casually, and you must keep your word in the future."

Jia Cong laughed, "Don't worry, good sister, I will definitely keep my word."

Seeing Tan Chun made a fist with her soft, white, slender hand, extended a delicate little finger, and smiled as she raised it in front of Jia Cong.

Jia Cong laughed and also extended his little finger. Under the bright sunshine, the two little fingers hooked together, and they looked at each other and smiled, showing their ease.

Great Zhou Palace, Ganyang Palace.

In the deep winter of the twelfth lunar month, the spacious main hall was permeated with a chill.

The warmest place in the main hall was around Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's imperial desk.

On the left and right of the imperial desk were two large dragon-headed gilded enamel fire basins, burning dragon saliva incense, pine and cypress incense, and red charcoal, spitting out a warm and fragrant breath. At this moment, in the hall, besides the Emperor, there was a man in simple clothes kneeling on the ground without saying a word.

He shivered slightly. The spacious and empty Ganyang Hall seemed colder than outside the hall, and only from the direction of the imperial desk was a wave of warm air pushed over.

If Jia Cong saw this person, he would definitely be able to recognize him, because he was Master Qian Huai, the manager of the firearm workshop.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked the person kneeling, "Master Qian Huai, how is the progress of the research and development of the rear-loading gun in the firearm workshop recently?"

Master Qian Huai replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, since Inspector Jia returned to the firearm workshop half a month ago, the research and development of the rear-loading gun has been more organized than before.

In just half a month, it has been more effective than the previous month."

When Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao heard this, a gentle look appeared on his face, and his mood seemed to become good all of a sudden.

Master Qian Huai continued, "Inspector Jia has made major improvements to the rear-loading gun this time, because in the original construction drawings, the forging difficulty of the key components of the rear-loading gun was extremely high.

At present, the difficult-to-forge primer ignition has been changed to firing pin ignition, and the copper-cased bullets, which were extremely difficult to construct, have been changed to paper-wrapped bullets.

I and the craftsmen in the workshop have deduced that these two improvements by Inspector Jia can be said to be ingenious and unimaginable.

Not only does it greatly reduce the construction difficulty of the rear-loading gun, but the estimated power of the finished gun is only slightly lower than that of the original rear-loading gun, but the range and lethality are still much higher than the improved Lu Mi gun."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had heard these words from Master Qian Huai from Jia Cong that day. Now, after verification by Master Qian Huai and the craftsmen of the firearm workshop, the credibility had been greatly improved, indicating that Jia Cong had not exaggerated that day.

Master Qian Huai continued, "Inspector Jia asked Minister Guo of the Ministry of Works to recruit two top needle craftsmen from Jiangnan and seven first-class pulp masters from Shandong."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was curious in his heart and asked, "What is the use of Inspector Jia recruiting needle craftsmen and pulp masters? These people cannot forge firearms?"

Master Qian Huai replied, "Inspector Jia said that in the world today, there are no ready-made rear-loading gun makers, and the Firearm Department must screen suitable candidates and train them themselves.

Under the guidance of Inspector Jia, those two top needle craftsmen have polished the molds for forging the firing pins of the rear-loading gun and have already produced several batches of firing pins.

Although these firing pin samples do not yet meet Inspector Jia's requirements, their precision is gradually improving. I believe that after several months of repeated forging and refining, it will definitely be possible to create suitable firing pins.

The pulp masters recruited from Shandong are also configuring the pulp suitable for making paper-wrapped bullets according to Inspector Jia's instructions, and they are already on the right track."

The precision and strength of various components such as the gun barrel required for the rear-loading gun are higher than those of the improved Lu Mi gun, and Inspector Jia has also arranged for manpower to polish and produce them in groups.

Inspector Jia is not only ingenious, but also very proficient in the way of management. He also decomposed the rear-loading gun component by component and assigned specialists to polish and construct them.

He also formulated a so-called panoramic plan, setting the start time and completion time for the construction of each component of the rear-loading gun.

The corresponding assigned craftsmen must complete the components within the scheduled time. Those who are ahead of schedule are rewarded, and those who are behind are punished. Step by step, orderly, which opened the eyes of the small people and made them sigh in admiration..."

Master Qian Huai was originally an old clerk in the Ministry of Works, who was valued by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and inserted into the firearm workshop. Now seeing him talk about Jia Cong, his voice was full of exclamation and admiration, which made Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao find it quite interesting.

He heard Master Qian Huai talk about the various ingenious ideas, novelties, and unheard-of things that Jia Cong had in the process of developing the rear-loading gun, whether in terms of employing people, supervising construction, or managing affairs, all of which were very effective.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was full of surprise and exclamation in his heart. Although he had seen many of Jia Cong's strange things in the past two years, every time he saw him perform new wonders, he still couldn't help but exclaim.

I don't know how this teenager's brain grew, why he could produce so many colorful and strange ideas...

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked, "What is that panoramic plan invented by Jia Cong, and when does it show that the rear-loading gun can complete the forging of all components?"

Master Qian Huai replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the plan formulated by Inspector Jia, it will be possible to create a sample gun that successfully fires in five months!"

When Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao heard this, his spirit was lifted. Jia Cong had told him that the improved rear-loading gun was expected to be built in half a year, but now it could be a month ahead of schedule, which was an unexpected joy.

He asked, "Is Jia Cong's panoramic plan feasible, or is it somewhat delusional and biased?"

Master Qian Huai replied, "Inspector Jia's plan was formulated after repeated consultations with all participating craftsmen, so it is naturally feasible and there is nothing delusional about it."

After hearing Master Qian Huai's words, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, who had been cold-faced, also showed a smile at the corners of his mouth.

After Master Qian Huai retired, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao watched with great interest the so-called panoramic plan copied by Master Qian Huai.

Just then, Guo Lin, the deputy chief eunuch, entered the main hall with a memorial in his hand and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Grand Lady Jia of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, with the status of a super-grade noble lady, has submitted a memorial to the Tongzheng Office.

Requesting Your Majesty to grant the Lady Rongguo title to her second son, Jia Zheng."

When Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao heard this, his face sank slightly. He just opened the memorial handed over by Guo Lin, glanced at it slightly, and threw it on the imperial desk.

This memorial from the Lady Rongguo Prefecture requesting the title reminded Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao of Jia She's corrupt acts such as stealing firearms and selling salt and iron, and a sense of disgust could not help but arise in his heart.

Seeming to be touched by something, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's gaze shifted to the meticulous rear-loading gun construction plan on the imperial desk... (End of chapter)