Chapter 614: Strange Merits Spread to the Palace

Earl's Prefecture, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

The late spring wind blew, and a fine rain fell from the sky, washing the trees and flowers in the courtyard clean, flashing with a lush and moist luster.

The flying eaves of the hall drew a dark green silhouette in the misty rain, exuding an unusual elegance and tranquility.

In the hall, Zhi Shao, Qing Wen, Ling Guan, and others were idle, sitting in the corridor under the eaves, chatting casually.

The sound of fine rain outside, accompanied by the clear and pleasant voices of the girls, echoed in the quiet courtyard...

Since the end of the Spring Examination, although Jia Cong still often tinkered with firearm blueprints in the study, he didn't have to study hard every day like before.

The girls and maids around him, except for Wu Er who was busy in the Western Prefecture every day, were not as busy as before, and they often had such leisure time every day before the sun was high.

At this time, the courtyard gate was pushed open. Zhi Shao and the others saw the hem of a skirt fluttering behind the gate, revealing indigo embroidered shoes, and two people holding brown-yellow oil-paper umbrellas entered the courtyard one after another.

The person in front had a slim and graceful figure, wearing a tooth-white red-collared jacket and a red flower-scattered pleated skirt, her paper umbrella tilting slightly, revealing a pretty, jade-like face.

The person following her wore a snow-blue purple satin vest with colorful embroidery, with a pretty appearance and a clever gait. It was the maid, Zi Juan.

Zhi Shao stood up with a smile and said, "Lin Miss is here. Third Brother is in the study."

Daiyu smiled, "I just came back from the Western Prefecture and came to Third Brother's place to look around. The Spring Examination is over, why is Third Brother still so diligent?"

Zhi Shao smiled, "It's not about reading, Third Brother is tinkering with those strange blueprints again."

Daiyu left Zi Juan in the hall to chat with Zhi Shao and the others, and went into the study alone.

She saw Jia Cong bowing his head over the desk, tinkering with several wide sheets of white hemp paper, while Ying Lian was sitting by the west window, copying calligraphy.

Daiyu saw the sheets of white hemp paper on the desk, snowy and flawless, and the size was wider than ordinary ones, with complex and exquisite patterns drawn on them, possessing a strange beauty that was detailed to the smallest point.

Daiyu had a family background in learning, had read books since she was a child, and was immersed in literary affairs, so she was very familiar with all kinds of stationery.

She could tell at a glance that the white hemp paper Jia Cong used was rare.

Ordinary white hemp paper was made from okra pulp and had some texture flaws. The snowy and flawless one Jia Cong used on his desk was top-quality goods.

This kind of white hemp paper was much harder and tougher than the ordinary rice paper used for calligraphy and painting, and it could withstand wear and tear, so it was often used by craftsmen for construction drawings.

Daiyu smiled, "Third Brother, why are you tinkering with your firearms again? Is it that 'breech-loading gun'? I've seen you pondering it for a long time, haven't you made it yet?"

Daiyu often came to Jia Cong's study to talk, so she was somewhat familiar with the new firearms Jia Cong tinkered with.

However, she was intelligent and knew the severity of the matter, so she only chatted with Jia Cong occasionally when she happened to meet him, and never mentioned it to others.

Jia Cong saw it was Daiyu and said casually with a smile, "It's almost there. The workshop has forged a qualified gun body, but the firing pin made is not appropriate..."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Daiyu looking at him with her watery, bright eyes, her gaze quite confused.

He couldn't help but feel amused in his heart. He was truly obsessed with this breech-loading gun.

Since the end of last year, he had been leading the firearm workshop to build breech-loading guns.

After nearly half a year of research and testing, the gun body of the breech-loading gun had been finalized, and the forged gun barrel, gun body, and gun mechanism all met the requirements.

Only the firing pin used to detonate the paper-cased bullet, because of its thin and sharp shape, was extremely difficult to build and extremely easy to break.

Jia Cong had been thinking day and night for the past few days, looking for ways to improve it. Daiyu asked casually just now, so he blurted it out without thinking.

It was just that a young lady like Daiyu wouldn't understand when he said these things, so she naturally had a confused face.

Jia Cong put down the blueprints in his hand and smiled, "Why did you come out on a rainy day, Sister?"

Daiyu smiled, "Second Sister is not feeling well today, and Xiangyun is accompanying her in the room, so Third Sister and I went to the Western Prefecture to pay respects to the old lady.

It was cloudy at dawn today. Although Zi Juan brought an umbrella, it wasn't raining then.

We only sat in the Rongqing Hall for a while. The old lady even said that after Baoyu's birthday banquet, he would stay in the East Courtyard to study. It can be seen that he has started to be sensible after his birthday.

It just so happened that an old nurse from the old lady's side came to pass a message, saying she was ordered by the old lady to see Baoyu in the East Courtyard. Only then did she know that Baoyu had accidentally broken his head yesterday."

Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh. It seemed that his words that day had been taken to heart by Jia Zheng, who had truly hidden the fact that Baoyu was injured very tightly.

Daiyu said again, "The old lady couldn't sit still when she heard that Baoyu was injured, so she hurried to the East Courtyard to visit.

Third Sister naturally had to accompany her. I was worried that if I saw Baoyu, he would come to pester me again, so I naturally found an excuse not to go."

Jia Cong smiled, "After this period, you won't have to worry about Baoyu coming to pester you."

Daiyu asked curiously, "What does Third Brother mean? I don't understand."

Jia Cong smiled, "Didn't you hear that the Master is letting him stay in the East Courtyard to study? And he has already turned fifteen. It is the age for marriage. How could he come to pester you again?"

Daiyu didn't believe it and said, "Baoyu is not as fragrant as Third Brother. Last time Third Brother had a birthday, the old lady invited four noble young ladies at once.

Those four girls didn't look at Baoyu, but stared at you. Don't tell me you didn't notice. Are you feeling particularly proud in your heart?"

Jia Cong smiled, "I have to observe mourning for three years. For these three years, I am a 'Vajra' (indestructible) body. Staring at me won't work."

Daiyu had just taken a sip of tea, and hearing him being so shameless, she couldn't help but spit out the tea and burst into laughter.

"Third Brother has a thick skin. This 'Vajra' of yours is so rare. Everyone is longing for you. You don't feel ashamed even when talking big."

Jia Cong looked at her with a smile and said, "Look at what you said, Sister. Am I really that bad? Don't I deserve your longing at all?"

Daiyu's pretty face flushed, and she hummed, deliberately turning her head away, but there was a smile in the corner of her mouth.

The two chatted for a while, and Qing Wen came in to refill the tea twice. Only then did Daiyu get up to leave, and Jia Cong supported her with an umbrella back to her courtyard.

Leaving Daiyu's courtyard, thinking that Daiyu had said Yingchun was not feeling well, he went to Yingchun's courtyard to visit.

Seeing Yingchun, he asked about her illness. Yingchun blushed slightly, only saying she had caught a slight cold and it didn't matter, telling him not to worry, so Jia Cong didn't ask any more.

Yingchun asked him about the Spring Examination, when the Ministry of Rites would release the list. The sister and brother chatted for a while, and Jia Cong saw that Yingchun was slightly sleepy, so he got up to leave.

By the time he returned, although the sky hadn't cleared, strands of bright sunlight had pierced through the gaps in the gloomy clouds, making his mood feel comfortable.

Earl's Prefecture, Tan Chun's Courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet, and the banana trees in the courtyard were lush and green, making a crackling sound under the rain.

Cui Mo held an oil-paper umbrella, pushed open the courtyard gate, and supported her young lady into the courtyard.

Tan Chun wore a light blue round-collared robe embroidered with chrysanthemum branches, her waist slim and willow-like, pretty and elegant. The phoenix hairpin with red gems on her head flashed in the drizzle.

It was just that she was walking absent-mindedly, and the hem of her beige long skirt had been splashed wet by the rain...

In the morning, the old lady heard that Baoyu had fallen and was injured, so she hurriedly took a carriage to the East Courtyard to visit. Tan Chun was Baoyu's own sister, so she naturally had to accompany her.

When they arrived at the East Courtyard, Tan Chun saw Baoyu with his head bandaged, looking like he had fallen quite heavily.

The

It was just that she was somewhat absent-minded while walking, and the hem of her beige long skirt had already been slightly dampened by the rain...

In the morning, Jia Mu heard that Baoyu had fallen and was injured, so she hurriedly took a carriage to the East Road Courtyard to visit him; Tan Chun was Baoyu's own sister, so naturally, she had to accompany her.

When they arrived at the East Road Courtyard, Tan Chun saw Baoyu with a bandage wrapped around his head, looking as if he had fallen quite heavily.

Jia Mu naturally blamed Jia Zheng and Lady Wang, complaining that they had only let Baoyu live in the East Road Courtyard for two days, and they had already caused him to be bleeding from the head.

Although Tan Chun also felt pained that her brother was injured, she was, after all, a careful person; watching coldly from the side, she always felt that the Master and the Lady's expressions were strange, as if they were hiding something.

The old lady originally insisted on taking Baoyu back to the West Prefecture, but after several attempts at persuasion by Jia Zheng and Lady Wang, they said they would wait for Baoyu's injuries to heal before letting him return to the West Prefecture to accompany the old lady.

She also privately asked Xi Ren where Baoyu had fallen, but Xi Ren's face flushed, and she spoke evasively.

When the old lady left, Lady Wang brought up Baoyu's marriage again, saying she had already proposed to the Xia family and was preparing to arrange a marriage for Baoyu with the Xia girl, sounding somewhat anxious.

Seeing these circumstances, Tan Chun knew that the whole matter was not simple; even after she returned to her own courtyard in the East Prefecture, she felt restless.

After some time, she heard footsteps at the door, and the maid Shi Shu walked in quickly.

Today at the East Road Courtyard, Tan Chun had doubts about everything regarding Baoyu, and she heard that Lady Wang was in a hurry to arrange a marriage for Baoyu, with the Xia family girl as the target.

In the past, because of Lady Wang's instructions, Tan Chun had interacted with Xia Gu Niang a few times, and Jia Cong had once reminded her to be careful, because Xia Gu Niang was not an easy person to deal with.

Tan Chun had been close to and trusted Jia Cong since she was a child; her Third Brother's reminders would certainly not be groundless.

Now, this Xia Gu Niang, whom her Third Brother considered difficult to deal with, was actually going to be her sister-in-law; Tan Chun naturally felt worried.

When she and Jia Mu left the East Road Courtyard, she left Shi Shu behind to tidy up things in her room, but in fact, she left this trusted maid to walk around the East Road Courtyard and listen for news.

Shi Shu was a personal maid who had served Tan Chun since she was a child; she also possessed some of Tan Chun's cleverness and intelligence, and was very efficient in her daily work.

As soon as she entered the room, she closed the door and said, "Miss, I followed your instructions and pretended to be tidying up in the room, and then I took a stroll in the back courtyard."

"I met people everywhere and chatted a few times, but they didn't know where Bao Er Ye had fallen."

"Later, when I passed by the Mengpo Study, I saw Zhang Pozi He, who was in charge of pruning and caring for the flowers and trees, cursing there."

"She was using dirty words, saying that the rose she had raised for half a year had been trampled to death by a short-lived maid, and calling her an uneducated brute from outside."

"I was curious, so I flattered her a bit, and she was so happy that she chatted with me."

"She said that on the day of Bao Er Ye's birthday, she was tidying up the flowers and trees in the back garden and saw from afar a little maid supporting the Second Master into the Mengpo Study."

"Not long after, she saw the Master and the Cong Sanye also enter the Mengpo Study, and soon after, it became chaotic inside, but because she was some distance away, she didn't hear clearly what was said."

"Soon, a little maid ran out of the Mengpo Study; it was the same one who had just supported Bao Er Ye into the room."

"Zhang Pozi He said that she recognized who it was—it was actually the personal maid of Xia Gu Niang of the Osmanthus Xia family. Because Lady Xia and the young lady had visited the prefecture several times, and each time they brought this maid, Zhang Pozi He had seen her several times, so she could recognize her."

Hearing this, Tan Chun's heart jumped, and she felt that something was wrong. How could Xia Gu Niang's maid support the Second Brother into the study?

Shi Shu continued, "Zhang Pozi He also said that the maid was flustered when she came out of the Mengpo Study and didn't even look at where she was walking."

"She stepped straight across the edge of the flower bed and ended up trampling Zhang Pozi He's precious rose, breaking it at the root, which made her very angry."

"Zhang Pozi He also said, she also said..."

Shi Shu was usually articulate and spoke fluently, but at the end, she became hesitant.

Seeing her maid's face turn red and her expression strange, Tan Chun frowned and said, "You girl, when did you learn to be so hesitant? Just say what you have to say."

Urged by Tan Chun, Shi Shu said, "Zhang Pozi He said that when the maid came out of the Mengpo Study, her hair was disheveled, her clothes were untidy, and she looked quite disheveled."

"That old woman even started talking dirty, saying that the Xia family's maid definitely hadn't been doing anything good just now..."

!

Hearing this, Tan Chun couldn't help but blush. Although she was a young maiden and didn't know about the affairs between men and women, she wasn't completely ignorant.

She could guess what Zhang Pozi He meant, otherwise why would Shi Shu be blushing just now...

Shi Shu continued, "Zhang Pozi He also said that after the maid left, the Second Master and the Cong Sanye also came out of the study, but Bao Er Ye was the only one who didn't come out."

"Not long after, she saw the Master and the Lady return to the study, and after a while, she saw Cai Yun bring a physician into the study."

"Miss, this matter looks suspicious from every angle. Why do I feel that Bao Er Ye didn't fall and break his head yesterday, but rather fell after the birthday banquet that day..."

Tan Chun's originally pretty red face gradually turned pale, and her expression was somewhat ugly.

She was a clever and transparent person, more shrewd and capable than the average young lady; after hearing Shi Shu's words and pondering them, how could she not guess the general cause?

Baoyu must have taken advantage of the Xia family's visit to lead their maid into the study, and they must have done something shameful.

The Master had always appreciated and liked the Third Brother, so after the banquet, he called the Third Brother to the study to talk; unexpectedly, the two of them happened to stumble upon the matter...

Originally, Tan Chun felt that it was somewhat inappropriate for Baoyu to marry Xia Gu Niang, whom the Third Brother found difficult to deal with.

Now, Tan Chun had to let go of these worries; Baoyu had even provoked someone else's personal maid—could he still have a clean relationship with that Xia Gu Niang?

Moreover, the Master and the Lady both approved of this marriage; there must be a reason for it. As a daughter born of a concubine, could she even manage it...

Shi Shu said, "I heard Zhang Pozi He say that the Third Brother also entered the study that day; he must know the details."

"The Third Brother loves you so much, Miss; if you just go and ask him, wouldn't you know everything clearly?"

Tan Chun lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

She said, "Third Brother usually talks to me about everything, but he hasn't mentioned a word about this matter even after so many days."

"He must feel that some things would dirty a young lady's ears, which is why he kept it from me. Why should I go and ask? Besides, I don't have the ability to manage this matter."

"Shi Shu, just pretend you don't know about today's matter; don't tell anyone. Do you remember?"

Shi Shu said, "Don't worry, Miss, I remember."

Tan Chun said again, "During this time, we will try our best not to go to the East Road Courtyard; we'll wait until these things pass..."

She looked at the misty courtyard outside the window; after being washed by the rain, the air was exceptionally clear and fresh. She suddenly felt relieved and relaxed, and sighed slightly.

In the past, she always had some unspeakable regrets, but now she felt that she was actually very lucky.

No matter how much filth and right and wrong there were in the world, with this East Prefecture and her Third Brother, her body and mind had a place to belong, and she could retreat and live in peace.

The banana tree in the courtyard, which was green and dripping with dew, was planted by Jia Cong's special order when Tan Chun moved into the East Prefecture last year; in just one year, it had grown deep roots and lush leaves, standing tall and beautiful.

Great Zhou Imperial Palace, Qianyang Palace.

Although the Divine Capital had entered late spring and the weather was becoming warmer, the spacious and empty main hall felt strangely cold.

At this moment, besides Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, there was Guo Lin, who seemed to be by his side forever, and another man in simple clothes, kneeling on the ground without saying a word.

The Emperor was carefully browsing the documents in his hand, which recorded the details of the development of the breech-loading gun at the firearms workshop.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's voice carried a hint of excitement as he asked, "Qian Huai, according to your records, the breech-loading gun has now taken shape and has been successfully test-fired."

The man in simple clothes was Qian Huai, the steward of the Ministry of Works' firearms workshop, and also the spy Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had planted in the firearms workshop.

Qian Huai replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, since the beginning of spring, although Supervisor Jia has been busy with the spring examinations, he has still often come to the workshop to inspect the progress of the breech-loading gun construction."

"In the middle of the third month, the craftsmen in the workshop, according to Supervisor Jia's hints, repeatedly quenched and purified high-quality Ottoman refined iron to forge a breech-loading gun barrel that was strong enough."

"The rest of the firing mechanism, stock, auxiliary parts, gunpowder ratio, and paper-cased cartridges have also been finalized one after another, and the fitting of the parts for the gun assembly has begun."

"After the spring examinations ended, Supervisor Jia came to the workshop almost every day to supervise the progress of the breech-loading gun construction; five days ago, the gun assembly was completed, and it was successfully test-fired."

"However, there are still flaws, so for the sake of caution, Supervisor Jia has not yet reported the good news to Your Majesty."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao hurriedly asked, "What kind of flaws still exist?"

Qian Huai replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, although the breech-loading gun was successfully test-fired, the firing pin used to detonate the paper ammunition is difficult to construct because of its thin and narrow shape."

"The firing pin currently forged by the craftsmen lacks strength; after firing less than ten rounds, the firing pin will show cracks or wear and break."

"Supervisor Jia gave this phenomenon a strange name called 'resonance fracture.' Although I don't understand it very well, I know what it means—that is, we need to forge a stronger firing pin."

"According to Supervisor Jia's assertion, the newly forged firing pin must be able to support the breech-loading gun firing thirty rounds without breaking before the breech-loading gun can be used in actual combat."

"By that time, the breech-loading gun will be truly successfully developed. When the musketeers carry the breech-loading guns into battle, as long as each person is equipped with a few more firing pins, they will be able to fire a large amount of ammunition."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao smiled and said, "I understand what you mean. The breech-loading gun has actually been successfully constructed; it's just that the construction technique for a certain component hasn't reached Jia Cong's expectations."

"Your Majesty is wise; that is exactly the case."

"I ask you, what is the specific power of the breech-loading gun test-fire now?"

Qian Huai replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the workshop has now built four finalized breech-loading guns. The shooting distance and firepower of each sample gun are five times that of the Great Zhou's improved Rumi musket."

"As long as the breech-loading gun is used in actual combat, within its effective range, the improved Rumi musket won't be able to hit the opponent at all and will only become a pile of scrap iron."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's eyes shone with a strange light, and he seemed somewhat incredulous, asking urgently, "Is the power of the newly made breech-loading gun really five times that of the improved Rumi musket!"

Qian Huai replied firmly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have observed almost every test-fire of the breech-loading gun, and its power reaching five times that of the improved Rumi musket is certain and beyond doubt."

"Supervisor Jia also said that this is just a sample gun test-fire; as the breech-loading gun is finalized and forged in large quantities, the precision of the construction technique will gradually improve, and the power of the breech-loading gun will increase slightly."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was invigorated and couldn't help but pat the imperial desk, saying, "Good! Jia Cong truly did not disappoint me!"

Qian Huai, standing below, said, "Supervisor Jia's ingenious ideas and craftsmanship, thinking of things predecessors never thought of, truly make people like me in the craft industry admire him to the point of prostration."

"Even though he is busy with the major event of the spring examinations, he does not forget to worry about the construction of firearms every day; his dedication to his duties and his loyalty to the country are even more admirable."

Guo Lin, standing to the side, saw that although Qian Huai was the Emperor's eyes and ears and regularly reported secretly on the firearms workshop, he did not spare any praise for Jia Cong.

This person was just a low-ranking steward, and although he acted as a secret agent, his actions and words were impartial, which was quite impressive.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao smiled slightly, "You said it well. Although I let you be my eyes in the firearms workshop, you must be obedient and do your best to support Jia Cong in his firearms construction."

"You may go down now and do your work well; I will not treat you unfairly..."

Over the years, through the firearms developed by Jia Cong, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was able to use trusted officials like Gu Yankui and Shi Ding to expand the firearms camp in the Five Armies Camp.

Through advanced and sharp firearms, he gradually replaced and updated the military structure of the Five Armies Camp, and finally gained complete control over the more than 100,000 elite troops of the Five Armies Camp for the first time.

Jia Cong went to Jin Ling twice and successively solved major cases such as the Jin Ling Water Supervision Department and the Jin Jin Ling Weijun.

This allowed Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao to seize the opportunity to wash away the old forces of the Jiangnan Guard Army.

Key government offices such as the Jin Ling Regional Military Commissioner's Office and the Ministry of War in the auxiliary capital were all replaced with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's trusted officials, and the Emperor thus firmly controlled the military power of Jiangnan.

Moreover, because Jia Cong solved the Jin Jin Ling Weijun case, it was confirmed that Zhang Kangnian, recommended by Prince Zhao, was the main culprit in the Jin Jin Ling Weijun case.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao took this opportunity to weaken Prince Zhao's military power on the southwestern frontier and further consolidate military power into his own hands...

It can be said that the achievement of all this is closely related to Jia Cong.

This made Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao feel more and more that Jia Cong seemed to be a lucky general destined by heaven, because the chain reaction he triggered opened up a brand new world for his imperial power, surprising him time and time again...

Now Jia Cong has developed a new type of breech-loading firearm, with five times the lethality of the improved Rumi musket, which is no different from a weapon of divine punishment to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, adding another sharp weapon to the Great Zhou's military power.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao could imagine that if his Five Armies Divine Machine Camp were all equipped with this new type of breech-loading firearm, how powerful the army's combat effectiveness would soar.

By that time, his desire to emulate his ancestors, expand territory, achieve great feats, and leave his name in history would not be a moon in the water.

When Qian Huai knelt and left the palace, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at the documents in his hand, still immersed in the joy of the breech-loading gun's development.

However, even though the successful construction of the breech-loading gun made Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao full of ambition and increasingly appreciative of Jia Cong's talent, his firm caution and clarity did not fade because of this...

Gathering all the talents of the world, using them well, and balancing power effectively is something an emperor must always plan for.

He suddenly thought of the spring examinations Qian Huai mentioned and asked, "Guo Lin, how is the progress of the Ministry of Rites' examination paper grading now?"

Guo Lin noticed the Emperor's intention and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this morning, the Ministry of Rites sent news that the eighteen room examiners for the spring examinations have selected the excellent papers from each room."

"Among them, including the top candidate from each of the eighteen rooms and the top twenty-four from each room, a total of 450 people."

"For the past few days, the chief examiner and the room examiners for the spring examinations have been grading and ranking them. In a few days, the list will be reported to the palace for imperial review, and the 25th of this month will be the day the list is posted."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao pondered slightly, "I am looking forward to seeing what rank Jia Cong's name will be on the list..." (End of chapter)