Chapter 125: From Top to Bottom, Thoroughly Settling the Scores

Mrs. Xing said cautiously, forcing a smile:

"Madam, who manages the household is naturally up to you; how could a daughter‑in‑law dare to interfere!"

Mrs. Xing knew that Jia Mu never liked her, so she never dared to say it outright; as the senior wife of the main branch, she was just right to step forward and run the family affairs.

Jia Mu looked at Mrs. Xing with displeasure and shouted angrily:

"It's enough that you know! Let me make it clear: even if Baoyu's mother and Feng Jie no longer manage the household, it still isn't your place to do so!"

"You still have the nerve to leap about here and scold Feng Jie, while you remain so spotless yourself! Even if Feng Jie isn't, at least she is truly filial to this old lady."

"Filial piety is the foremost of a hundred virtues; I am still here, and it's not your business to denounce her character!"

Jia Mu's words left Mrs. Xing dumbfounded!

Mrs. Xing's complexion froze, half red and half pale, and she was mortified beyond words.

She could only imitate Lady Wang and Feng Jie, kneeling obediently on the ground to beg forgiveness.

Jia Mu, too lazy to bother with the foolish daughter‑in‑law, turned to Jia Jing and said:

"Jia Jing, keep handling the servants' matters! We'll discuss Baoyu's mother's and Feng Jie's faults later…"

Although Jia Mu was angry at Lady Wang and Feng Jie, she did not want to embarrass them before everyone.

Jia Jing nodded and said:

"Very well! Besides no longer being allowed to manage the household, I think there's something else to compensate for!"

"As for Sister‑in‑law Feng, any interest earned from the old practice of lending money on stamps should be fully returned to the borrowers, especially the poor families, who should even receive double the interest back."

"On the Wang side, the benefits delivered to the Wang Family should be reimbursed by her directly to the mansion's silver treasury; only then will it be fair, just, reasonable, and leave no room for complaints."

"Let the outside world see that the Jia Family is truly a benevolent household, never coveting ill‑gotten wealth!"

"As for the servants like the Lai family who committed wrongs abroad, I will have each of them compensate the victims, explain the reasons, and restore the Jia Family's reputation outside."

Jia Mu nodded and said in a hoarse voice:

"Fine! Let's handle it this way."

Having said that, Jia Mu sat back down, ignoring the three kneeling on the ground—Mrs. Xing, Lady Wang, and Feng Jie.

Jia Jing continued addressing the servants in the courtyard, lecturing:

"You have seen it: even if the ladies err, they must be punished, let alone you. From now on our house will be governed by military law; there will be no mercy."

"Attendants, bring Qin Xian's, Cheng Rixing, Zhan Guang, Shan Pinren…"

Jia Jing rattled off nearly a hundred names, then said:

"These people may not have major crimes, but none are spotless."

"Some are idle officials, some spread gossip, some exploit seniority, some gambled while on duty, behaved indecently, oppressed junior maids, and so on."

"According to the severity, either expel them from the mansion or sell off their entire families. Zhu Que, you handle it!"

Jia Jing didn't argue with each of them individually; after all, the house is not a courtroom.

When dealing with heavy offenders like the Lai family before, evidence had been presented; the lesser offenses can be dealt with swiftly.

This time, over a hundred were dealt with in one go—those to be executed were executed, those to be punished were punished—effectively settling the Rong Guo Mansion's servants from top to bottom.

There were perhaps other minor faults, but Jia Jing did not intend to punish everyone.

Because many servants of Rong Guo Mansion have served the Jia Family for generations; no one is perfect, and a flawless record is impossible.

Even if we recruit outsiders with clean backgrounds, it doesn't guarantee they're better; the new recruits may lack the loyalty of these long‑served household staff.

Thus, today we have made an example by killing a few to warn many, harshly dealing with the gravest offenders, idle officials, and internal traitors, achieving the desired moral reform.

I trust that others, having witnessed the fate of the Lai family and others today, will feel reverence in the mansion and act cautiously.

After all, a servant's fate largely depends on the master's attitude and ability.

A stern, wise master will keep servants from being arrogant or deceitful; a foolish, indulgent master will breed arrogant, disrespectful servants.

After receiving Jia Jing's order, Zhu Que commanded his troops to drag each named servant out of the courtyard for punishment.

The courtyard was instantly cleared of about half its occupants; the remaining servants, though not named, were trembling with fear, their faces pale.

Today, seeing Lai Da, Wu Xindeng and other stewards beaten to death, and then over a hundred expelled, gave them a lesson in Jia Jing's methods.

People had only heard of Jia Jing's prowess abroad, never experiencing it, and didn't realize how terrifying it truly is!

But today's swift and decisive crackdown let the mansion's servants grasp the stern authority of a battlefield general.

Jia Jing surveyed the crowd and then spoke:

"We'll deal with these today; I hope you take this as a warning."

"The rest of you are mostly trustworthy; you may have minor slips, but overall you're fine!"

"Nevertheless, I must warn you: the household will never tolerate corruption, gossip, servant‑over‑master abuse, faction‑forming, dereliction of duty, or collusion inside or out. Otherwise, family law will show no mercy."

"Remember the two virtues: loyalty and diligence. Loyalty means keeping the master's interests at heart and discerning right from wrong. Diligence means being sharp‑eyed, bright‑hearted, and daring to act first."

"In the Jia Family, loyalty and ability are forever the primary standard for how you conduct yourselves!"

The crowd exhaled in relief, and steward Lin Zhixiao shouted first:

"Remember the Lord's teachings!"

His daughter Xiaohong now lives in Jia Jing's courtyard; he has long considered himself a follower of Jia Jing, so he naturally steps forward to support him.

Not to mention, with the stewards Lai, Wu, Shan, Zhou and others gone, only the Lin family remains untouched, and he naturally wants to advance himself!

Other servants, seeing this, echoed in chorus:

"Remember the Lord's teachings…"

Jia Jing continued:

"Naturally, where there is punishment there is reward! From now on the mansion will institute an annual 'Loyalty‑Diligence Award'."

"Those who merit the mansion—such as reporting verified corruption, averting major losses, offering practical improvement proposals that are adopted, showing loyal protection of the master, maintaining flawless accounts for their duties all year, fulfilling duties diligently, acting bravely, demonstrating outstanding talent, etc. —will receive silver or gold ranging from dozens to hundreds of taels according to the merit."

"For great merit, the entire family may be freed from servitude, and even descendants may attend the clan academy to study and train, securing a bright future!"

These matters, the Marquis will establish detailed regulations, and together with the new family rules will announce them to everyone in a few days.

One sentence: as long as you are loyal to your duties, diligent in your tasks, and devote yourselves wholeheartedly to serving the manor, our master will absolutely not shortchange you!

As soon as Jia Jing said this, the servants in the courtyard instantly looked a bit happier.