Chapter 650: Great Trends Hide Disasters

Love Shenjing, east of the city, Hongde Gate, Baxian Restaurant.

The private room table was full of land and water delicacies, fragrant tea and fine wine, and the aroma was nose-piercing. It should have been a time for drinking and having fun.

As soon as the middle-aged man said this, the atmosphere in the private room was somewhat heavy. Shopkeeper Zhao knew all the dark and gloomy things, so he naturally knew the meaning of the other party's words.

He hurriedly said, "Master Liu, please rest assured. The subordinate is also a person who has experienced risks for a long time. The matter is of great importance, so naturally, I am doubly cautious."

"The subordinate noticed that the investigation south was strict, but the water route north was still smooth, so I used the prepared road permit and traveled as a relative, taking a merchant ship north."

"On the way, I have been carefully recuperating in the cabin, rarely coming out to walk, and rarely contacting people on the same ship. Along the way, it was safe and sound, and I was not seen through."

"The merchant ship had not yet entered the Yongzhou boundary, and the subordinate got off the ship in advance. Afterward, I walked on land."

"I walked around Tongzhou, Dezhou, and other places, paying attention to inquiries along the way, and there were no people following or hiding. Everything was safe, so I bypassed and entered the Love Shenjing."

The middle-aged man's face relaxed slightly and said, "You are an old person who does things. You are indeed careful. Only in this way can you ensure there is no worry. Now the situation is unpredictable, so be careful in everything."

"According to what you said, that newly appointed Jinling Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-Household Wang Wang Zhangjiang is quite extraordinary in his methods, and he seems to be particularly concerned about the private manufacture of firearms."

Shopkeeper Zhao said, "Master's words are very true. When I was in Jinling, I paid close attention to every move of this person."

"This person's pursuit of the private firearm case is fierce and rapid, which is contrary to common sense."

"The subordinate thinks that his replacement of Ge Ge Zhi Cheng as the main official of the Jinling Embroidered Uniform Guard must be because the court has plans, so they transferred such a person to Jinling."

"Wang Wang Zhangjiang must have been instructed by his superiors, or even a secret edict from the palace..."

"Before I left Jinling, Wang Wang Zhangjiang brazenly led troops to search the Zhen mansion on the grounds that the Zhen family's descendants were involved in private firearm manufacture, which caused a huge stir in Jinling."

"The Jin Ling Zhen family is a century-old noble family. The Zhen family's ancestors were founding heroes, and the Zhen old imperial consort is of noble status. The Zhen family's old mansion has not suffered from war for a hundred years, which is truly unique."

"Fortunately, Zhen Zhen Shiwen, who was involved in the fire gun matter, had been removed by us in advance, and Wang Wang Zhangjiang couldn't find anything in the Zhen mansion."

"Afterward, the Jinling Tiren Academy President Zhen Zhen Yingjia was summoned by the Embroidered Uniform Guard twice, saying he was inquiring about his son Zhen Zhen Shiwen's private involvement in firearms. Although there was no harvest, it made Zhen Zhen Yingjia lose face."

"If Wang Wang Zhangjiang didn't have something to rely on, how could he be so unscrupulous in the fire gun case and do such means and actions?"

"Now the Jinling officialdom is rumored that the Jin Ling Zhen family is about to face a disaster, and Zhen Zhen Yingjia will surely die without a burial place."

The middle-aged man's expression was surprised and said, "I didn't expect Jinling to have such a big disturbance. But after careful consideration, it is not without traces to follow. It seems to be echoing the things that happened in the Love Shenjing recently."

Shopkeeper Zhao couldn't help but ask, "I don't know what happened in the Love Shenjing recently?"

The middle-aged man said, "Ever since Jia She died last year, even if Jia Cong was in great mourning and closed his door, he still often went to the firearm workshop outside the city to take charge."

"A few days ago, the Emperor suddenly visited the firearm workshop in person. Afterward, Jia Cong was promoted to Grade 4B General Xinwu. The superiors speculated that Jia Cong must have developed a powerful firearm again."

"And this new type of firearm should have been developed and built since Jia She died."

"According to what you said just now, Wang Wang Zhangjiang's efforts in the Jinling fire gun private manufacture case happened to be at about the same time. Perhaps he really received some instructions."

"Now the Zhen old lady's mourning period has expired. Perhaps the rumors in the Jinling officialdom are not wrong. The Jin Ling Zhen family is afraid that there will be no good end..."

The two talked for a few more idle words, and the middle-aged man's face tightened, asking, "Since you risked going north, did you bring that important thing?"

Shopkeeper Zhao's eyelids jumped slightly and said, "Before the Jinling fire gun workshop was searched by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, there were more than four hundred finished improved Lu Mi guns, which were transported out of the workshop in advance, so they escaped the Embroidered Uniform Guard's search."

"After I returned to Jinling last time, in order to ensure there was no worry, I re-selected places to hide the more than four hundred improved Lu Mi guns in various places in Jinling."

He took out a small booklet from his body and said, "This records seven storage locations. When the time comes, just send someone to go, and you can take it and use it!"

The middle-aged man took the booklet with a solemn expression and said, "You brought this thing, and this time you risked going north, it is a great achievement. I will record this credit for you."

Shopkeeper Zhao looked at the booklet, somewhat reluctant, and said casually, "The Love Shenjing is indeed full of wind and waves. As soon as I entered the capital, I heard that the Spring Examination had a major fraud case, involving a wide range."

"In the city, many people are discussing that the court's imperial examination is not only full of fraud, but also unfair in taking scholars. Talents from poor families are buried in lower officials, while noble officials top the Metropolitan Examination, and even want to win the world, which is extremely unfair..."

The middle-aged man laughed, put the booklet carefully into his arms, and said, "Let the noble people in the palace, and the Count Lord Weiyuan who is too prominent, worry about this kind of thing themselves. You and I just watch the fun."

Count's Prefecture, Jia Cong's courtyard.

Jia Cong just stepped into the inner courtyard. The sky was dark blue, the night was cool like water, and there were thousands of stars flickering in the sky. Looking up, it was refreshing.

He just walked near the courtyard gate when he heard light and pleasant laughter, either intimate and soft, or beautiful and spiritual, like pearls falling on a jade plate, and like bells ringing.

He pushed the door and entered, only to see the sisters Zhen Ying Lady Lian, Qingwen, Lingguan, Hearing Zi Juan, Shi Shu, Xiuju, and other maids sitting in a group to enjoy the cool on the veranda under the eaves, naturally inevitably whispering and talking.

In the hall, the candles were bright, and the sisters Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, Tan Chun, Xing Xiuyan, Shi Xiangyun, etc., were also sitting and chatting. In the open space between them, there were three boxes.

Jia Cong saw this scene and smiled, "Today, I didn't post a note, but you all came so neatly. It's so lively."

Seeing Yingchun smiled and said, "Cong brother has been busy recently, returning every day when it is dark. Today is considered early."

"Now the summer heat is rising, we sisters have nothing to do at night, and your courtyard is spacious and cool. Just happened to meet you, so we came to walk around."

Jia Cong smiled, "Official business has been full recently. After this period, when things are done smoothly, I won't have to be so hard."

He saw the three boxes in the hall and asked curiously, "Second sister, you said I encountered something. What is the reason, and what is the matter with these boxes?"

Lin Daiyu stood up and smiled, "Third brother said he posted a note, so we came so neatly. This is not wrong, but the one who posted the note was not third brother, but the Qu young lady from Jinling."

Seeing Yingchun smiled, "The gifts in these three boxes were personally escorted to the Love Shenjing by the clerks of the Xinchun Bank at the request of Qu young lady. I have already arranged for the visitors to stay in the outer courtyard. Qu young lady also specially wrote a letter to Cong brother, saying that these gifts are to congratulate Cong brother on winning the Metropolitan Examination, and also to congratulate Cong brother on soon topping the list and becoming a Rank Jinshi."

Jia Cong thought that Qu Qu Hongxiu was becoming more and more meticulous now. She knew that his eldest sister was in charge of the house, and she didn't forget to write to Seeing Yingchun when sending gifts, and her etiquette was meticulous, thorough, and appropriate.

Lin Daiyu said curiously, "The time Qu young lady sent the gifts is very exquisite, just catching up with the palace examination list announcement. It is really a big lucky sign. Can she predict the future?"

Jia Cong smiled without saying a word. He and Jinling communicated daily by flying feathers. Things that happened in the Love Shenjing, Qu Qu Hongxiu and Qin Qin Keqing could know within two days, and the news was no less than those in the Love Shenjing.

Seeing Yingchun smiled

Jia Cong smiled without a word. He and Jin Ling communicated daily via feathered messages. Anything that happened in the Love Shenjing, Qu Qu Hongxiu and Qin Qin Keqing could learn within two days; their intelligence network was no less efficient than those in the Love Shenjing.

Seeing Yingchun laughed, "These gifts, aside from the congratulatory ones for Brother Cong, are all for the sisters in the house, as well as the Old Lady and Second Sister-in-law Lady Lian in the West Mansion."

"I have said before, having a master like Miss Qu is a tremendous blessing for Brother Cong. Even though she is far away in Jin Ling, she keeps your affairs in her heart."

"The gifts for you are one thing, but the gifts for everyone in the house are all so appropriate and meticulous—truly more thoughtful than even I, who am an elder sister."

Jia Cong laughed inwardly. In preparing these gifts, even if Qu Qu Hongxiu had the heart, she likely lacked the strength. She was not like Qin Keqing, who had once been a daughter-in-law in the Jia household...

Jia Cong opened three trunks and saw the gifts inside neatly arranged and dazzling to the eyes. For every item, it was clearly written who it was for, making it clear at a glance.

Seeing Tan Chun was full of admiration upon seeing this and said, "They all say Miss Qu's abilities are outstanding. To build such a grand business alone in Jin Ling—look at how she gives gifts, it's different from everyone else. It looks clear and easy to understand, without the slightest error."

!

Jia Cong distributed the gifts from the trunks one by one to the sisters, and exclamations of surprise erupted from the main hall from time to time.

Lin Lin Daiyu was sensitive and perceptive, and her heart was entirely focused on Jia Cong. Seeing that not a single sister in the hall was left out and everyone had received a gift, she felt a bit strange.

She had heard Jia Cong say that Qu Qu Hongxiu had gone to Jin Ling several years ago and had never returned.

When she had originally left, Sister Shi Shi Xiangyun only occasionally came to stay at the Jia house, not living there long-term like she did now, and Sister Xing Xing Xiuyan hadn't even arrived yet.

How could the gifts for both of them have been prepared in advance? It must be through letters; Third Brother tells his master everything—it is truly strange...

After Jia Cong finished distributing the gifts, the sky grew dark, and the sisters dispersed. Seeing Yingchun took the gifts for Jia Mu and Wang Wang Xifeng, preparing to deliver them to the West Mansion in person the next day.

Jia Cong moved his own gifts back to the study and took two letters with elegant handwriting out of a newly made long gown; they were the personal letters from Qin Keqing and Qu Hongxiu.

The letters each recounted their feelings since they parted and spoke of many trivial daily matters in Jin Ling.

Both letters mentioned the affairs of the Xinchun Firm and the recent turmoil involving the Zhen family in Jin Ling, which caught Jia Cong's attention.

Since October of last year, the person in charge of the Zhen family's business, Zhen Zhen Fangqing, had been far away in the Love Shenjing mourning for the late Imperial Consort Zhen, but this had not affected the operation of the Zhen family's business.

As for the reason, Jia Cong could roughly guess: when Zhen Zhen Fangqing came to the Love Shenjing, she brought many capable hands, which she used to send messages and remotely control the business in Jin Ling.

The steward of the Zhen family's outer courtyard, Liu Linjiang Xian, was someone Jia Cong had met several times; he was an extremely shrewd and capable man, and also the most trusted confidant of Zhen Zhen Fangqing.

It is said that Liu Linjiang Xian was a capable assistant to the Second Master Zhen in his day and was fiercely loyal to the Zhen family's second branch...

With a figure like Liu Linjiang Xian sitting in Jin Ling, the Zhen family's business naturally would not run into any problems.

Starting from the end of last year, various construction goods from the Xinchun Firm were transported via the Zhen family's second branch's sea fleet to be sold in the various countries near the southeast coast, yielding quite substantial profits.

Afterward, Qu Qu Hongxiu and Qin Qin Keqing increased the scale of their overseas transport, even gathering large batches of goods from the Liaodong branch to Jin Ling to be sold overseas via the sea fleet.

In mid-April, the Zhen family's sea fleet transported three ships of Xinchun Firm goods out to sea.

Not many days later, the situation in the city changed suddenly. Because Zhen Zhen Shiwen was involved in the private manufacture of firearms, the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard entered the Zhen family's grand mansion to search on the pretext of re-examining old cases and sealed many of the Zhen family's shops.

However, the Zhen family was not convicted. With the recent passing of the Imperial Consort Zhen, the Zhen family's legacy still remained, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard's actions were still restricted by legal standards; the spread of the matter did not involve the Zhen family's sea fleet.

Perhaps the Embroidered Uniform Guard was unfamiliar with merchant affairs, and their eyes were all focused on the Zhen family's shops that hid refined iron, ignoring the existence of the sea fleet.

Several days after the incident, the five sea ships docked at the Zhen family's port left the Jin Ling port one after another, heading to the outer seas to trade.

Because the ships had complete documentation for heading out to sea, the Jin Ling Shipping Office naturally would not block them...

By the beginning of the fifth month, a tsunami storm occurred in the southeast outer seas, and many ships sank or met with accidents; the Zhen family's sea ships that had gone out to sea were never heard from again.

Wang Dequan, who was escorting the Xinchun Firm goods on the ships, also lost contact...

Jia Cong looked at the letters, his mood exceptionally heavy. Wang Dequan was one of the five orphans raised by Qu Qu Hongxiu.

Jia Cong had known them since they were youths, and they were as close as brothers. Now that Wang Dequan's life or death was unknown, Jia Cong was deeply worried.

But as he carefully mulled over the sequence of events, he always felt there was something suspicious hidden within.

The Zhen family mansion was searched by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and their shops were sealed by officials. Just at this juncture, the remaining ships of the Zhen family's sea fleet left port in unison and were never heard from again—could things be such a coincidence?

He thought of the time Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao personally visited the firearm workshop; after seeing the demonstration of the breech-loading gun, the Emperor was overjoyed.

At that time, Marquis Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding suggested that the theft of the improved Lumichong in Liaodong had triggered the private manufacture of firearms in Jin Ling, and now that the breech-loading gun had been successfully created, they should take precautions against future trouble.

He still clearly remembered the murderous intent hidden in Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's eyes at that time; the Jin Ling Zhen family was destined to be drawn into the turmoil...

At this moment, Jia Cong thought of Zhen Zhen Fangqing, who was guarding the tomb in the imperial mausoleum on the outskirts of the city. Knowing that Wang Dequan's whereabouts were unknown, he thought of asking Zhen Zhen Fangqing.

But with the successful creation of the breech-loading gun and the re-examination of the Jin Ling firearm manufacture case, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's intention to punish as a warning was clear, and the Zhen family had already entered the vortex.

At this time, he himself bore the heavy responsibility of creating the breech-loading gun; if he were to visit Zhen Zhen Fangqing at the imperial mausoleum in a grand manner, could he really hide it from the eyes in the palace?

If the Zhen family's sea ships were truly heading out to sea to avoid disaster, just to preserve the Zhen family's assets, then Wang Dequan's life must be safe...

Jia Cong read the two letters several times, sorted out his thoughts, and dispelled the impulse to act rashly.

Now that the palace examination results were about to be posted, it was a grand ceremony for the nation to select talent, and all eyes were upon it. It was about to reach its peak, so even if there were movements in the palace, they would temporarily subside.

Moreover, the late Imperial Consort Zhen was still within the six-month period of deep mourning, so even if Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao wanted to take action, he would still have to consider the face of the Retired Emperor and slow his pace slightly. (End of chapter)