Chapter 742

Rongguo Mansion, Lixiang Courtyard.

When Xue Yima heard Xue Pan's words, she naturally understood her son's meaning.

She frowned and said: "You are muddled in other things, but you are willing to use your brain for this kind of nonsense; you useless thing!"

Xue Pan laughed: "Your son's words are rough but the logic is not; Mom is also a sensible person, and you know your son is not talking nonsense."

Xue Yima sighed in her heart; she was also born into a great family, but any such family values etiquette, scenes, and face the most.

Ordinary families only seek prosperity, and as long as it is bloodline offspring, they won't distinguish too much between legitimate and illegitimate.

But wealthy and noble families are very different; because such families have been wealthy for generations, the important children all have many wives and concubines.

Therefore, there is no fear of thin bloodlines, and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate becomes strict; the legitimate bloodline inheriting the family business is the most important face for wealthy and noble families.

It is very rare for a son of a concubine like Cong Ge'er to become the head of the two Jia family prefectures.

But because this Cong Ge'er is talented in both literature and martial arts, famous throughout the world, and outstanding in everything, he has long covered up his illegitimate birth, and others have no mouth to mention it.

A figure like him is truly the smoke from the Jia family's ancestral grave, a genius who hasn't appeared for several generations, and others can only envy him.

But this is just one case; after all, it is a rare exception, and it is impossible for every generation to be like this.

The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate in great families is still the great truth in this world, and old-fashioned people like Grandmother Jia of the Jia family are even more deeply rooted in this.

Cong Ge'er inheriting the Rongguo title is because he is outstanding and was appointed by the Emperor, so there is no fault to find.

But the next Rongguo title is still inherited by an illegitimate son; how could old-fashioned people like Grandmother not feel uncomfortable in their hearts?

I don't know why the palace issued such a decree at the beginning; it looks like it was deliberately disgusting and lowering the Rongguo Mansion...

My son is right; if in the future a son born by a maid becomes the heir of the Rongguo Mansion, Grandmother will be depressed to death.

If it is a legitimate daughter from a great family like my daughter who gives birth to an illegitimate son for Cong Ge'er, the situation will be very different.

This child carries the bloodlines of two great families, and such an illegitimate son with an extraordinary background gives Grandmother a great step down.

The old lady will cherish him like a pearl and treasure, and fully support him to sit on the position of the Rongguo heir, so as to complete the face of the Rongguo Mansion for several generations.

The Jin Ling Xue family will also do their best to support this matter, because this matter is to help the family's future, and the Xue family will do their best.

Even the palace and the Imperial Clan Court must consider the face of the nobility and dare not ignore such an illegitimate son with a bloodline, and let the seed born by a servant obtain the position of Rongguo heir.

When Xue Yima thought of this, her heart was also burning.

Her son was right; if it weren't for the pregnancy in Baoyu's room, who would have thought of such a long-term matter?

Once the matter is accomplished, in the future, her own biological grandson will become the Rongguo Count of the Jia family; how much glory this should be.

Although she might not see this day, even in the Nine Springs, she can face her husband with dignity.

It's just that the future hope is so glorious, but the current situation is so awkward.

How can she speak to Grandmother and say that she is willing to send her daughter Baochai to be a concubine for Cong Ge'er?

Moreover, Cong Ge'er is still in his three-year mourning period, and it is a matter of the inner house to take a few maids from his own mansion, which does not violate the clan law and filial piety.

But the Xue family is an outside family, and opening the door to take a concubine is a great violation of filial piety; both sides are impossible.

Xue Pan opened his bull-like eyes; he naturally saw that his mother was moved and was waiting for his mother to speak.

He couldn't help but instigate: "Mom, our family is from an Imperial Merchant background and understands the principle of investing heavily to earn huge profits.

Even if Mom finds a marriage for my sister with a noble family, and she becomes the legitimate wife, it is definitely not as practical and decent as what your son said.

Besides, Mom knows my sister's thoughts; her heart is all on Cong Ge'er; if you let her marry someone else, I'm afraid it won't work."

Xue Yima smiled bitterly when she heard this; although the Xue family was wealthy, they had lost their official status two generations ago, and were just wealthy merchants who were decent.

How could such a family find a noble family to marry into? Even if the daughter was outstanding, it was absolutely impossible.

She said impatiently: "In the future, stop plotting; your sister is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Xue family, and Cong Ge'er is also in mourning; these are all things without shadows."

Xue Pan felt somewhat disappointed; he saw Cong Ge'er's official title and had always wanted to climb up.

Plus, knowing that his sister was in love with Jia Cong, he felt it was a win-win situation, and he plotted this matter, and his sister would likely be willing.

As for whether his sister would be a wife or a concubine, he didn't care, as long as he was the brother-in-law...

Relying on the relationship of living in the same mansion for many years, if the matter really succeeded, Jia Cong wouldn't treat his sister badly.

Besides, last time Duan Chunjiang asked to introduce Jia Cong, the matter was never done, which made him lose face in front of his friends.

In the end, his friendship with Jia Cong was shallow, and he couldn't speak in front of him.

But if his sister became his concubine, this would truly become his real relative.

Borrowing the momentum of his Count Weiyuan title, not to mention having face in front of others, even if he did some things among friends, it would be a great convenience.

It's just that if his mother didn't come forward to handle this matter, he, as a brother, couldn't use his strength.

He said: "Mom should really ponder this matter; Cong Ge'er is currently empty-handed, and there is still time.

After another year or two, even if he hasn't married, he doesn't know how many illegitimate children he will have in his room; it will be too late to act then."

Xue Yima said impatiently: "Roll, roll, roll, you only know how to ponder these broken things every day; it makes people feel annoyed to hear it."

Xue Pan laughed: "Your son will roll; Mom, you should ponder it yourself, just don't drag it out too long; your son still has social engagements today."

Xue Yima frowned and said: "You just settled down at home for one day, why are you going out to wander again? If you cause trouble, I will peel your skin!"

Xue Pan laughed: "Mom, your son is going to do a proper business, not wandering; Duan Chunjiang is looking for me to discuss business.

Recently, hundreds of Mongols have moved into the Tongwen Hall; these people can't get enough to eat on the grasslands and are all gluttons who eat and drink heavily.

The Court of Diplomatic Reception doesn't know how much rice and grain it consumes every day to feed these gluttons, and the Tongwen Hall has to buy grain everywhere in the city every few days.

Duan Chunjiang has taken a fancy to this big business, but the business of the Court of Diplomatic Reception mostly requires official connections; Duan Chunjiang is an outsider, so how could he have such a foundation?

He knows that your son has some dealings with the sons of the nobility in the capital, so he asked your son to discuss it and see if he can borrow momentum to make this business happen.

The sons of various families that your son associates with, many of them hold positions in the Five Military Commissions; although most are idle positions, they are proper people in the officialdom.

Borrowing some connections from inside to make the grain business of the Court of Diplomatic Reception is not too difficult.

Duan Chunjiang also said that as long as your son finds connections and helps him make this business happen, he will give one-tenth of the grain shop's shares.

Although your son doesn't care about this bit of silver, making this business happen will also give your son face; your son still wants this face."

Xue Yima's expression softened when she heard this, and she said: "Since it is a proper business for the grain shop, you should do it well.

The family doesn't expect you to earn much silver; as long as you have the heart to do proper business and don't wander and cause trouble outside, I will be satisfied."

Court of Diplomatic Reception, Tongwen Hall, Ordos tribe relay station.

In the spacious main room on the top floor, Noyan Taiji wore a moon-white embroidered gold-traced Hu robe, and his black hair was tied into a bun on top of his head in the Han style.

He was leaning on a Luo Han bed, playing with a jade thumb ring on his hand, his eyes slightly closed, his thick black eyebrows slightly raised, revealing a leisurely and relaxed demeanor.

A delicate and neat Han maidservant was kneeling behind him, carefully massaging his shoulders.

She asked with a smile: "Taiji, is this comfortable?"

Noyan Taiji pinched the maidservant's hand and laughed: "Very comfortable; you Han people are truly particular, with so many ways to serve people."

You serve me well and use all the skills you have; I will definitely not treat you badly.

When I return to the grasslands, if you don't want to go with me, I will return your contract and give you some silver, and you can find someone to marry yourself."

The maidservant was full of smiles, and even though she was being teased, she didn't seem to mind, saying: "Thank you for your grace, Taiji."

At this time, a tall and thin man walked into the main hall and bowed to Noyan Taiji.

He wore a dusty gray Hu robe, a sheepskin hat on his head, and his back was slightly hunched, making him appear completely unremarkable.

Noyan Taiji waved his hand, and the maidservant behind him bowed to him before exiting the room cleverly.

Noyan Taiji said: "Shu Ergan, is there any movement in that grain shop and Xue Pan?"

Shu Ergan said: "Reporting to Taiji, everything in that grain shop has been normal these past few days; Aletang's people haven't visited the grain shop again.

But I saw a familiar face in the grain shop, which was very unexpected to this lowly one."

Noyan Taiji's bright eyes brightened slightly, and he asked: "What kind of familiar face is it?" Shu Ergan said: "Taiji should be clear that for more than a year, the Zhou people have banned border trade, and it has been very difficult for us to obtain supplies from within the pass.

But before the border was tightened a few years ago, the Ordos tribe would smuggle salt, iron, rice, and grain from within the pass every winter before entering the pass, so that the tribesmen could spend the winter safely.

This lowly one has been ordered by the Khan to handle this matter, and I have dealt with people from the Datong border army for many years; although I don't know their true identities, they are definitely from the Datong border army.

Without the protection of the Great Zhou border army, it would be impossible to do such a life-threatening business at the border.

We have dealt with the same group of people every time, but they have used different names each time, hiding their true identities very well.

But I remember the appearance and demeanor of the few leaders among them very clearly; even if they turned to ashes, they couldn't hide from my eyes.

Today, in the Duan family grain shop, I unintentionally saw a merchant who was the leader who traded with us back then; this lowly one will definitely not misread him."

Noyan Taiji thought for a moment and asked: "Then this person is from the Datong border army; Duan Chunjiang is Khan Anda's Darughachi.

How could they have any connection? The Zhou border army smuggling salt, iron, and grain is just for profit, not necessarily meaning they want to betray the country and surrender to the enemy.

The Great Zhou and Khan Anda are at daggers drawn, and a great war is imminent, yet people from the Great Zhou border army are entering and leaving the Duan family grain shop.

Could it be that Khan Anda is so powerful that he has buried spies in the Datong border army long ago? Wouldn't he be sure of victory when the two armies fight?"

Shu Ergan said: "Although what the Taiji said makes sense, the situation of this person is somewhat different.

Our trade within the pass has been completely cut off since last winter, and those people who traded with us have never appeared again.

The Zhou people have been tightening the scale of border trade, which started around that time; because I often do business at the border, I have some sources of information.

I heard that something big happened to the Datong border army last year; a hereditary commander named Sun Zhanying took his whole family to flee the pass and betray the country to the north.

This matter caused a great shock in the Datong army; the Datong Regional Commander Qian Shaoyang was convicted and executed, and many officers in the Datong army were implicated.

The smuggling channels of various tribes in the Datong army were all cut off, so the warriors of various tribes going south to grab grass and grain had to increase significantly.

The Yongshielun tribe and the Ordos tribe's fast cavalry went south to seize supplies and often encountered the Great Zhou border army, causing heavy casualties on both sides.

But Khan Anda's troops stealing the pass and looting could often avoid the Great Zhou scouts and elite cavalry, not only successfully seizing grain and supplies but also returning fully loaded most of the time.

So there were rumors among the herdsmen that Sun Zhanying, who fled the pass to the north, had gone deep into the Northern Desert to take refuge with Khan Anda.

This person's family has inherited Datong military positions for generations and knows everything about the Great Zhou border army's checkpoints, military deployment, and material configuration.

It was precisely because Khan Anda obtained this person's help that his elite cavalry could steal the pass and loot, as if helped by gods, often coming and going like the wind, avoiding the strong and attacking the weak, and returning fully loaded."

Noyan Taiji heard this and his expression was solemn, saying: "If the rumors are true, this Sun Zhanying has really taken refuge with Khan Anda.

Khan Anda relies on this person's familiarity with the Great Zhou border army to loot south, easily collecting supplies, accumulating strength without making a sound.

Yet he has reservations about the Yongshielun tribe and the Ordos tribe, letting us steal the pass and hit walls everywhere, losing troops and generals.

He is taking the opportunity to weaken the strength of the Ordos tribe and the Yongshielun tribe, making us deepen our hatred with the Great Zhou, and making it difficult for us to have a way back.

Our two tribes naturally rely more on him and are increasingly controlled and used by him; this plan is truly poisonous!"

Shu Ergan was shocked when he heard Noyan Taiji's words; although he was a well-informed person, his vision and thinking were not as forward-looking and sharp as Noyan Taiji's.

These fragmented pieces of information were not connected or pondered in his heart, so naturally, he could not draw a conclusion about the overall situation.

He said: "The Taiji is intelligent and what you said makes sense; if it weren't for Sun Zhanying fleeing north, the Great Zhou wouldn't have tightened the scale of border trade, which put great pressure on the Mongol tribes and made a great war imminent."

The Mongol tribes obtained some supplies through the tea-horse trade and obtained scarce salt, iron, grain, and cloth through border army smuggling.

The tribes could spend the winter safely and didn't really need to go south to fight the Zhou army and fight for their lives, which was good for both sides.

Noyan Taiji said: "You are right; the Ordos tribe has grazed in the Ordos Loop for generations; that place has abundant water and grass and is a blessed land gifted by Eternal Heaven.

Father Khan once said that the glory of the Golden Family has become the past, and wanting to stand in the Central Plains like our ancestors and dominate the world has become an extravagant hope.

In those days, the Mongol iron cavalry was a million strong, sweeping across the world, and it was hard to find an opponent, but after only a hundred years in the Central Plains, they were chased and killed by the Han people, struggling to survive.

I have read Han books since I was a child; the Han people are a hundred or a thousand times more numerous than us; they live by farming, guarding the land all their lives, and generations are confined to one place.

Their family ties are extremely strong, unlike us Mongols, who graze by water and grass, drifting everywhere, and making the world our home.

They may not be as brave and fierce as the Mongols, but as long as they are not killed, they will always rise up to resist for the sake of food, land, and dignity.

The Ordos tribe and the Yongshielun tribe have no intention of dominating the world; we just follow the ancestral teachings of the Golden Family that the strong are respected.

Khan Anda of the Tumet tribe is the strongest on the grasslands, and he has always had the intention of asking for the Central Plains, wanting to restore the glory of his ancestors.

Now that I think about it carefully, the confrontation between the Mongol tribes and the Great Zhou border army, which is on the verge of breaking out, seems to be related to this Sun Zhanying.

I even suspect that Sun Zhanying's sudden flight to the north might not be that simple..."

Although Shu Ergan's vision and pattern were limited, he was also a sharp person, and he was greatly shocked by Noyan Taiji's words.

According to the Taiji, Sun Zhanying's flight to the north caused the Great Zhou to tighten the scale of border trade, which put great pressure on the Mongol tribes and made a great war imminent.

But Khan Anda has always been ambitious, and he was just right in his intention for Sun Zhanying to flee and take refuge; it was just like what the Han people say: happy to see it happen.

Noyan Taiji said: "Shu Ergan, continue to watch the Duan family grain shop closely; since that person has visited once, it is definitely not a coincidence and he will definitely visit again.

Find out where he is staying in the Love Shenjing, and besides Duan Chunjiang, who else he is in contact with.

For the sake of the overall situation of the Mongol tribes, although we will not go to destroy anything, figuring out these things will be of great benefit to our Ordos tribe."

Noyan Taiji walked to the desk, on which was placed an exquisite wooden box; after opening it, there was an empty slot inside, but next to it was a telescope.

A telescope with very exquisite craftsmanship, exactly the same as the one he gave to Jia Cong.

Noyan Taiji gently touched the telescope and said: "That Xue Pan should also be paid more attention to; this person has a special background.

Duan Chunjiang deliberately associated with this person; besides wanting to involve Jia Cong, he might have ulterior motives..."

Count's Mansion, South Slope of Dengxian Pavilion.

On the south side of the plum blossom forest on the slope, a small piece of land was cleared, and the original flowers and trees were transplanted elsewhere.

On this small piece of open land, dozens of sweet potatoes were planted; compared to the two carts of sweet potatoes transported from Fujian, this was only a very small part.

The winter in the Love Shenjing is dry, but the sunshine is very sufficient; the small piece of land cleared, because it had been planted with flowers and trees for years, was also very fertile.

The sweet potatoes half-buried in the soil began to sprout after six or seven days of watering in small amounts every day.

The reason why only a very small part was planted was because sweet potatoes grow slowly in winter and are not easy to bear fruit, but it was just a few seedlings for trial planting.

The rest of the sweet potatoes were properly stored by Jia Cong, ready to be planted in the fields outside the city in the coming spring.

He specifically found a cool and empty room in the mansion, spread dry grass on the ground, and sprinkled a layer of coarse salt.

He stacked the bags of sweet potatoes, which could guarantee that they would not deteriorate to the greatest extent.

Beside the small sweet potato field, Zhi Shao and Xiuyan held water ladles and were watering the small seedlings in the field.

Sister Miao Yu stood on the side, wearing a Miaochang bun, a plain yellow Buddhist robe, a Qiuxiang-colored silk belt around her waist, and plain black and white embroidered shoes faintly revealed at the bottom of the robe.

A deer-tail whisk was inserted in her slender back waist, and her body was slightly tilted to the left, watching the two watering the seedlings with great interest.

A faint smile appeared on her usually cold and waveless pretty face, like an exotic flower bearing dew, which was very elegant and moving.

Ever since Jia Cong went to the South Slope Courtyard last time, the two of them washed and roasted sweet potatoes together, and then the three of them chatted with the evening breeze.

This kind of comfortable and worry-free scene with someone accompanying her made Sister Miao Yu, who had always been empty in her heart, have waves in her heart that were difficult to calm, and she often couldn't help but think of it.

Jia Cong asked people to plant sweet potatoes under the South Slope, and Sister Miao Yu couldn't help but pay attention.

Zhi Shao and Xing Xiuyan came to the field to look after them every day, and often pulled Sister Miao Yu to come with them.

Sister Miao Yu was watching the two watering the seedlings when she suddenly felt something and turned her head to look.

She saw Jia Cong's figure appear where the evening glow shone on the garden path.

He wore a light blue round-collar robe with floral patterns, a tiger-patterned jade belt around his waist, and his long black hair was combed into a bun without a single strand out of place, pinned with a moist and fat-like white jade hairpin.

Illuminated by the evening light, his appearance was handsome, his sleeves were rolling, like a banished immortal, walking towards her.

(End of chapter)