Chapter 767: Both fortune and misfortune are hard to predict

Rongguo Prefecture, Fengjie's Courtyard.

In the main room, the sunlight shone in through the glass window lattice. Most of the Luo Han couch under the west window was exposed to the sun, and the room was warm.

Wang Xifeng led Xue Yima into the room, and the two sat on the Luo Han couch, and asked the little maid to serve freshly brewed hot tea.

Because Ping'er was resting today, Wuer had more affairs than usual and had to patrol all parts of the prefecture, so she said goodbye first.

Feng'er picked up half of the hot charcoal in the incense cage, so as not to be too dry in the main room under the direct sun.

Xue Yima smiled, "I heard half of the words just now, is your Ping'er pregnant?"

Wang Xifeng smiled, "How can she be pregnant? Brother Cong is also a life of hard work. He used to be busy reading all day, and now he is busy being an official all day, returning early and leaving late without stopping."

"I say some rough words, I am not afraid of Aunt laughing, Ping'er has been in the room for half a year, and only just consummated the marriage these few days, how can she be pregnant so quickly."

Xue Yima heard this, and felt relieved in her heart. She had always been thinking about her daughter's life, and she was always indecisive.

If Brother Cong had heirs early in the room, even if there was a chance in the future, it would be somewhat unfavorable to her daughter……

She smiled, "Brother Cong is a person who does great things. It is the right reason not to indulge in the room. He is only so young, so he is afraid that he will not be prosperous in heirs in the future."

Wang Xifeng said, "Aunt is also a sensible person. I don't say my thoughts, Aunt must also be clear."

"My Second Master was exiled to Liaodong, his future in this life is ruined, and he will be gone for fifteen years. By the time he returns home, my eldest daughter will be almost married."

"For such a long time, the only thing I can count on is Brother Cong and Ping'er. If they have heirs early, I will have more reliability."

"Although these words are a bit worldly, the words are rough but the truth is not rough. This is the truth in a big house."

Xue Yima thought of Wang Xifeng and her own sister, both of whom were women of the Wang family, but their vision, knowledge, chest, and means were much worse.

Her sister felt that it was because of Brother Cong that the Second Room lost the Rongguo title, and she secretly hated it, and had to trip him up whenever she had the chance.

But she didn't think about the reason at all. Baoyu offended the palace. Even if there was no reason for Brother Cong, the title would mostly not fall to the Second Room.

From the root, Jia Lian also lost the title, and Brother Cong mostly counted as replacing him.

But Feng Yaotou saw it thoroughly in this matter, without half a dissatisfaction, but instead stood for Brother Cong early.

She even sent her own maid to Brother Cong's room. Now these two uncle and sister-in-law are solid, holding the East and West Prefectures firmly. This is called a smart person.

Unlike her own sister, the eight-foot candle stand only sees others, but never sees herself. Whenever there is a mistake, it is someone else's, and she is always right.

Xue Yima smiled, "You are a smart person, not like those narrow-minded people, and your vision is long-term."

"You have fulfilled Brother Cong and Ping'er, and you will definitely have blessings in the future. Just rest assured."

……

The two chatted about other idle things, and then turned to the main topic.

Wang Xifeng asked, "What serious things does Aunt have to find me? Why did Aunt come over today? Why didn't Sister Baochai walk together?"

Xue Yima said, "Baochai went to the East Prefecture early in the morning to find her sisters to talk and accompany them, and I didn't call her."

"The situation in my family, I think you are also clear. Your brother is naughty and often causes trouble, and he can't hold his temper to manage the family business."

"I have been worried about this for these years, for fear of ruining the industry left by your uncle, and I have no face to see him when I go to the Nine Springs in the future."

"The business in Jinling is not as good as before, and it is becoming more and more difficult to do. Not to mention making big silver, not making a loss-making business is not bad."

"Because of your brother's lawsuit, I can only avoid living in Shenjing all year round, and the ancestral business in Jinling is becoming more and more distant, and the whip is out of reach."

"I think if this goes on for a long time, the family business will definitely decline, so I can only think of some compromise methods to keep the family business safe."

Xue Yima made a tortuous paving, and then clarified the thoughts and requests to Wang Xifeng about the Xue family's ancestral shop in Jiangnan being rented to Xinchun Shop, and asked her to mediate.

Wang Xifeng smiled, "Aunt's idea is excellent. Not everyone is a material for doing business. Brother Pan is unfamiliar with this, which is not a big deal."

"Business making money or losing money is a common thing. As long as you can keep the ancestral prosperous shop of the Xue family, the family business will not fall. This is called keeping the green hills, not worrying about no firewood."

"It's just that this matter is very convenient, why did Aunt have to go around such a big circle?"

"Living in a prefecture for so many years, we are like a family, and we can see the real person by walking a few steps."

"Not to mention Aunt opening her mouth, let Sister Baochai find Brother Cong. They have always been close, and it's just a few words."

"I think Brother Cong will definitely agree. Why did Aunt have to find me to talk?"

……

Xue Yima said, "You also know that your brother is a reckless person. He can't talk in front of Brother Cong."

"Although Baochai is a good one, she is a young lady who has not left the cabinet. It is inconvenient for her to talk about the family business, not to mention talking about merchant matters, which is even more inappropriate."

"You also know that because your eldest aunt moved to the East Road Courtyard last time, it was originally inappropriate for our Xue family to linger."

"It was Brother Cong who was polite and kept us, and I still owe him a favor."

"Although it is said that the family business is not falling, I occupy the status of an elder, but talking to him about merchant silver money is really hard to open."

"So after thinking about it, I want you to come forward to mediate."

Wang Xifeng heard these words and felt that Xue Yima's thoughts were meticulous, which made some sense.

It's just that she had a strange feeling in her heart. In the past, she had heard that Baochai got along very well with her sisters and was very talkative with Brother Cong, and the two were very harmonious.

Although young ladies have to marry, it is inconvenient to intervene in the ancestral business of their mother's family, but now she is not married yet. Doing things behind closed doors, who else would gossip?

Wang Xifeng knew that this cousin of hers, although a noble lady, had thoughts and wisdom different from ordinary people. This way of not coming forward must be her own meaning.

But she usually talks without taboo with Brother Cong, why did she put herself aside in this matter?

Could it be that she felt that she was a young lady, and talking about merchant matters in front of Brother Cong would make her face look bad?

Wang Xifeng would not think that her cousin would do this, and it would be a groundless move, but she could not think of the reason for a while.

Since she couldn't figure out the truth, she didn't waste her brain, it was just an irrelevant matter.

……

She said, "Aunt's words also make sense. Because Miss Qu of Jinling often respects etiquette these two years, I have paid more attention to Jinling Xinchun Shop."

"My mother's family often writes letters to mention that now that the Zhen family in Jinling has failed, Xinchun Shop's business in Jinling is becoming more and more prosperous."

"Business has always been rising with the trend. Miss Qu can be a female merchant, she won't understand such a simple truth."

"At present, Xinchun Shop needs to expand its scene. Not to mention places like Su Yang, just the prosperous shops in Jinling are mostly held in the hands of local noble families."

"Later people, even if they have more silver, can't buy good shops because there is no market."

"Aunt's good idea at this time is just catching up with this wave of momentum, which is the most appropriate thing."

"And with Brother Cong pressing the formation, the Xue family can rest assured to rent out the shop."

"Aunt, leave this matter to me. I heard that Brother Cong has been busy at the office these days. I will find a gap and talk to him."

"This matter is good for both families, and it will definitely be successful. If you are in a hurry to do things, maybe you can land it by the end of the year."

Xue Yima was happy in her heart, and the two talked about other idle things before dispersing.

……

Love Shenjing East Suburb, Ministry of Works Firearm Workshop.

After Jia Cong counted the number of breech-loading guns in the workshop that day, the construction of 500 breech-loading guns was nearing its end.

But he did not relax the progress of breech-loading gun construction, but instead made everyone in the workshop not relax in the slightest.

And asked Deputy Supervisor Liu Shizhen to calculate the consumption of materials required for continuous construction, and report to the palace, preparing to ask the Ministry of Works for additional material supply.

After the morning court today, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had already issued an imperial decree, and Minister of Works Li Dekang personally asked about it. The additional construction materials would arrive at the workshop in a few days.

In the office of the workshop, Jia Cong was discussing the follow-up construction progress with Liu Shizhen, and estimated that by the end of the twelfth lunar month, nearly 100 breech-loading guns could be added.

Before October, it was almost impossible to achieve this level of construction efficiency.

But with the continuous improvement of breech-loading gun construction, the construction accuracy was steadily improved, and the craftsmen's manual skills were becoming more and more proficient.

Manufacturing a hundred breech-loading guns in one month was no longer an unreachable goal.

As long as the construction materials were sufficient and the construction schedule was arranged reasonably, there was great hope of achieving it.

The two were discussing the relevant details when Qian Huai, the manager of the workshop, walked into the office with a document.

He said, "Lord Jia, the remaining twelve breech-loading guns counted two days ago will be completed and tested by sunset tomorrow."

"The inspection of other firearms in the warehouse can also be completed by sunset tomorrow. The subordinate has drafted a document for the Ministry of War to contact, please review it."

Jia Cong took the document handed by Qian Huai, browsed it carefully, modified a few places with a pen, and returned it to Qian Huai.

He said, "Manager Qian, I will go to the palace to report the good news the day after tomorrow. After the Emperor's imperial approval, you will send a document to the Ministry of War to follow up on the follow-up matters."

"The construction of 500 breech-loading guns is completed. The follow-up progress must not be relaxed. You should patrol each workshop daily. If you find anything wrong, report it in time." Qian Huai's expression was rigorous, and he saluted, "Please rest assured, Lord, the subordinate will definitely go all out and never slack off."

Jia Cong nodded to him, Qian Huai took a step back, and then turned and went out of the office, his etiquette was very respectful.

……

Jia Cong looked at Qian Huai's back, his eyes were a bit deep.

Liu Shizhen's expression was slightly hesitant, saying, "Lord, the subordinate has something to say, I don't know if I should say it."

Jia Cong smiled slightly, "Lord Liu, just say what you have to say."

Liu Shizhen said, "Yesterday at the second quarter of the hour of You, someone saw Qian Huai enter the palace alone, and there were eunuchs in the palace guarding and leading the way."

Jia Cong's eyes flickered, and he asked, "Who saw it?"

Liu Shizhen said, "It was a small school of the Jinwu Front Guard guarding the Chengtian Gate. This person is a cousin of the subordinate in the capital, and they have close daily contacts."

"He was just transferred to the Jinwu Front Guard last month, and only started to be assigned to guard the Chengtian Gate this month."

"Because the subordinate left the workshop to return to the city one day, Qian Huai took the subordinate's carriage, and the two returned to the city together, just meeting my cousin, so he remembered Qian Huai's appearance."

As soon as Liu Shizhen said this, a cold and oppressive atmosphere arose in the office.

Whether it was Jia Cong or Liu Shizhen, they both knew very well that in the entire firearm workshop, or even the entire Firearm Division,

only one person had the status to enter the palace to see the Emperor because of his position and favor, and that was Jia Cong, the Supervisor of the Firearm Division.

Even Liu Shizhen, who was the Deputy Supervisor, did not have the honor of entering the palace. Why could Qian Huai, an eighth-rank small official, enter the palace alone?

Liu Shizhen was a two-degree scholar, and he was also a person with outstanding wisdom. He didn't need to say some things clearly, Jia Cong naturally understood what he meant.

He said leisurely, "So my guess was indeed correct."

Liu Shizhen's face was shocked, "Lord already felt that he was not quite right?"

Jia Cong did not speak, but looked at the door of the room. Liu Shizhen immediately understood, walked to the door and looked left and right, and closed the door again.

Jia Cong said, "When the Firearm Division was first established, because it was set up in the Ministry of Works, the personnel screening naturally started from the Ministry of Works."

"At that time, I set a rule that anyone who works in the Firearm Division must have knowledge or expertise in firearms."

"Searching through the files of all officials in the Ministry of Works, only the eighth-rank official Qian Huai met the requirements."

"Because he came from the coastal area of Zhejiang and Fujian, his father was a village craftsman who knew how to make rough firearms, and the firearms he made were sold to mountain people and hunters for self-defense and hunting."

"So Qian Huai had been familiar with firearms since he was a child, and even learned skills from his father. The Firearm Division had just been established and needed such practical talents."

"So I transferred him to the Firearm Division. He was also the first official in the Firearm Division. After entering the division, he worked diligently and had a good reputation."

"Since the establishment of the workshop in the east of the city, all officials and craftsmen entering the workshop need to undergo strict screening. I fully agree with the Emperor's move."

"Later, I presented the breech-loading gun structural drawings to the Emperor, and the Emperor was overjoyed after seeing them, so he issued an imperial decree to develop breech-loading guns."

"Because the responsibility of building breech-loading guns was heavy, the workshop not only needed to supplement skilled craftsmen, but also add officials to handle affairs."

"At that time, Qian Huai took the initiative to ask me to be the manager of the firearm workshop. Because he was an old man in the Firearm Division and had a good reputation for doing things, I naturally agreed."

"Later, he also passed the screening of the palace and the Embroidered Uniform Guard. After entering the workshop, he still worked diligently, and his conduct was excellent."

"But later some changes occurred, which made me feel a bit suspicious."

……

Liu Shizhen asked, "I don't know why the Lord is suspicious?"

Jia Cong said, "The Emperor has high hopes for the construction of breech-loading guns. Since the development of breech-loading guns began, he has frequently summoned me to the palace to ask about the progress of breech-loading gun development."

"But not long after, the number of times the Emperor summoned me to the palace suddenly decreased a lot, which was puzzling and unusual."

"However, the Emperor's attention to the construction of breech-loading guns will definitely not be reduced by half."

Although Liu Shizhen was a person of technical practice, he was also a proper two-degree scholar, and his thinking and wisdom were quite good.

Jia Cong's words were only to the point, but he immediately realized it.

He said, "The Lord's meaning is that from that time on, the Emperor had other channels of information to understand the progress of breech-loading gun construction."

"That's why the number of times he summoned the Lord to the palace decreased unconsciously?"

Jia Cong nodded and said, "But at that time, although I was suspicious, I didn't suspect Qian Huai until I took the spring examination, and then I started to suspect him."

Liu Shizhen's expression was confused, "Lord, how is this related to the spring examination?"

Jia Cong said, "There are six officials in the workshop, including you and me, five of whom are two-degree scholars, and only Qian Huai is a Provincial Graduate Wu."

"When I screened personnel to enter the Firearm Division, I paid more attention to their resumes and pasts. I have carefully read the files of each of you."

"Qian Huai passed the provincial examination at the age of 21, which can be considered quite good in terms of imperial examinations, but since then, he has been unsuccessful in the examination field, quite bumpy."

"He took the spring examination four times in a row, but he failed every time, which is sigh-worthy."

Liu Shizhen sighed when he heard this. He was also enlightened in his youth and studied hard for more than ten years to be a two-degree scholar.

He naturally knew how hard the road of imperial examination was. Qian Huai passed the provincial examination at the age of 20, which was considered quite talented. He must have been high-spirited and ambitious back then.

But he did not expect that he would fail the spring examination four times. If he did not encounter an imperial examination, he would have wasted 12 years of time. How many 12 years are there in a person's life?

For a Provincial Graduate Wu who passed early, 12 years of stagnation in the imperial examination must be a tragic blow. Liu Shizhen thought about it from his perspective and felt a bit terrified.

Jia Cong said, "Liu and I are both from the imperial examination. Passing the spring examination is the lifelong hope of scholars."

"If it were you, as a Provincial Graduate Wu, over 30 years old, in your prime, would you give up just like that and be willing to be a subordinate?"

Liu Shizhen said, "If it were me, I would never do that. I would definitely make a comeback and take the spring examination again, otherwise how can I be worthy of half a lifetime of hard study."

"Moreover, Qian Huai was able to pass the provincial examination at the age of 21, which is considered quite talented. He was able to take the spring examination four times, failing repeatedly, and his will and perseverance are even more unusual."

"He has such talent and temperament, he will never give up the imperial examination easily."

Jia Cong said, "You are right. His resume records that because he took the spring examination many times, he lived in Shenjing for many years to study."

"Because he stayed in Shenjing for a long time, he accumulated some contacts. Two years ago, he was recommended by someone and selected by the Ministry of Personnel as an official in the Ministry of Works."

"I think this is just a stopgap measure for him. Working in the Ministry of Works can accumulate contacts and have a good salary, which is convenient for him to study in the capital."

"You know that an official rising to the seventh rank is already at the top. With his wisdom and perseverance, he will never stop there."

"Continuing to take the spring examination is his only way."

……

Jia Cong continued, "But on the eve of the spring examination, I read books behind closed doors every day, and encountered mourning and filial piety. All matters in the workshop were entrusted to Liu to preside over."

"I only came to the workshop every few days to check the progress of breech-loading gun development."

"But every time I arrived at the workshop, I saw Qian Huai busy, without stopping, without any state of studying for the examination and taking the spring examination again."

"It was not until the end of the spring examination that I knew Qian Huai did not take the spring examination this year, which is too unreasonable."

Liu Shizhen said, "For the nine days of the spring examination, I was managing affairs in the workshop. Qian Huai was indeed in the workshop every day."

"But I rarely went to the Ministry of Works office daily. Before he entered the workshop, I had no friendship with him, and I didn't know his past, so I didn't care."

Jia Cong said, "With his obsession with the imperial examination, once he missed this year's spring examination, he would have to wait another three years."

"He would do this, there is only one explanation, he thinks that what he is doing is more important than the spring examination."

"Or, the things he does can bring him greater benefits than taking the spring examination."

Jia Cong did not say the words behind, but Liu Shizhen also knew it like a mirror. To make a Provincial Graduate Wu get greater benefits than the spring examination, there is probably only one person in the world.

Among the six officials in the workshop, except for Qian Huai, the other five are two-degree scholars.

Except for Jia Cong and himself, the other three have been officials for many years. Such people cherish their reputation, and their official career is promising.

They will definitely not disdain to do the work of eyes and ears, and others will definitely not find such people, only Qian Huai……

Jia Cong said, "Since firearms showed their power on the Liaodong battlefield, the method of firearms has become a technique to suppress the country, and the firearm workshop is a heavy place for the Great Zhou military."

"Eyes are watching, villains are coveting, and ghosts are hard to measure."

"The court governs affairs, the Emperor governs politics, some things are all reasonable, and I will not resist."

"Since this matter is mentioned, Liu just needs to know it, and don't mention it to a third party."

"Moreover, we get along with Qian Huai day and night. As far as I can see, his enthusiasm for firearm construction and the effort he puts into it are no less than ours."

"It's just that his experience and encounters are different from yours and mine. There are some things he cannot resist. I hope that there will be no trouble in the future……" (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 768 =====