Chapter 57: First, Discuss Unity

Feng Jie's pretty face was full of surprise, her breathing a little rapid; commanding a hundred thousand troops—what power is that!

Even managing a few hundred people in the mansion feels like holding great authority; commanding a hundred thousand must be such magnificence!

Jia Jing, regardless of what they thought, continued:

"After tomorrow's ancestral rites, in a few days I will invite the head of the Wang Family, the two marquis gentlemen of the Shi family, and the founding lineage's Wuxun to discuss important matters; the two elders should also come!"

"Second sister-in-law, have people tidy up Rong Xi Hall and prepare some equipment."

Jia Zheng, hearing this, twirled his beard and nodded:

"It should be so! Baoyu's uncle and the two Shi cousins have long said they want to meet you, Jing brother!"

Granting titles, appointing generals, hosting banquets for guests—this is the proper order!

Jia Zheng did not think further; he was very pleased that the Jia Family had an outstanding junior like Jia Jing, and the duke's mansion finally had a successor.

Jia Mu, with a smile, said:

"Our four great families are united like branches of the same tree; now that you, Jing brother, have made a name for yourself, you should be more active!"

"But the founding lineage's Wuxun, if they gather without cause, might be improper? As for the emperor… "

Jia Mu was very pleased that Jia Jing was willing to get closer to the Shi family!

After all, the Shi family is her maternal family.

These years the Shi family has not had it easy; although they have two marquises, they appear splendid,

but Shi Ding and Shi Nai hold no important posts; they have rank but no power, and their lives are not actually good.

If Jing brother could lend a hand here or there, it would be even better!

She also wondered whether she could arrange for Shi Xiangyun to become Jia Jing's principal wife!

However, she was somewhat worried about Jia Jing gathering the founding lineage's Wuxun, since they control a great deal of military power,

if they congregate, the palace would inevitably overthink, and it would violate certain taboos.

Normally, if a family has a wedding or funeral, one can send gifts or set up a pavilion,

but gathering without cause, especially among the heads of families, is somewhat overstepping!

Lady Wang's expression hardened, and her hand holding tea froze!

She thought, Jia Jing returns to the mansion and immediately seeks power?

In the past, Rong Guo Mansion dealt with the outside world through Jia Zheng; even Jia She and Jia Zhen could not fully represent the Jia Mansion.

After all, the Wang Family recognized Jia Zheng, and many founding lineage's Wuxun looked down on Jia She.

Now, Jia Jing's return to represent the Jia Mansion in dealing with these in‑laws and old acquaintances makes her somewhat wary!

Moreover, Jia Jing directly wants to use Rong Xi Hall; previously, only their second branch had the right to use the main hall of Rong Guo Mansion.

But she said nothing; after all, Jia Zheng and Jia Mu had no objections, so any further objections she could only keep in her heart.

Feng Jie, with a bright smile on her lovely face, glanced at Jia Mu and Lady Wang, hurriedly agreed, and said:

"Third brother has ordered, Second sister-in-law will arrange everything for you right away!"

Jia Jing said to Jia Mu:

"Matters outside, many old ladies don't understand! Some things I can't tell you either; in short, I am wholeheartedly loyal to the Wang cause, and I will not do anything that violates taboos!"

Jia Jing naturally would not tell Jia Mu that this was Jing Sheng Di's intention.

Jia Jing guessed that Jing Sheng Di mentioned the founding lineage's Wuxun on purpose, intending to let him use their strength to secure his footing in Bashang Daying!

After all, one fence needs three posts, one hero needs three allies; how could a single person stand against the many Jingnan Wuxun in Bashang Daying?

But Jia Jing would not tell Jia Mu and the others about these matters.

Many things require speaking and acting cautiously, especially remarks the emperor makes privately, which must not be spread around.

Especially if people know about it before any action is taken, that would be foolish!

Jia Mu was startled by the words; in the mansion, she was accustomed to hearing praise from Feng Jie and others,

all she heard were things like "the old lady knows more" and "today I learned something from the old lady."

But now with this grandson, it turns into "there are many things you don't understand, and I can't tell you."

It's as if I'm not even entitled to know many things myself—what a headache!

This grandson's authority is too heavy, truly hard to get close to; still, my own Baoyu is better…

Jia Mu composed herself and said irritably:

"As long as you gentlemen outside can handle affairs cautiously, I would love you to trouble me less!"

"Take, for example, the incident where you made the Duke of Zhao so angry he spat blood today—was that not a bit excessive? He is a favored minister of the Retired Emperor."

Jia Jing's expression hardened as he said:

"This is merely a trivial matter! Since ancient times there has never been two suns; our Da Han Empire has only the current Son of Heaven, and the Retired Emperor need not be mentioned in the mansion thereafter!"

Jia Mu almost lost her breath, thinking—how can making a duke spit blood be a trivial matter?

Is it my lack of insight, or are you being too reckless?

Jia Jing, regardless of how Jia Mu thought, continued:

"After tomorrow's ancestral rites, I intend to set a regulation for clan affairs and wanted to inform you first."

As soon as Jia Jing finished speaking, Jia Mu thought: It's coming! It's coming! Finally, it's here!

Jia Mu already knew Jia Jing's return would bring trouble!

Sure enough, on the very first day back he wants to set new clan rules!

Jia Jing lifted his tea cup, took a sip, and continued:

"The Shenjing Eight Houses are the Jia family bloodline relatives who originally followed the two dukes of Rong Ning to the capital; now Jing, favored by the sovereign and protected by ancestors, has a modest achievement."

"We should repay the clan, cherish the elderly and care for the young, help the distressed, do some deeds for the family, and also make plans for its future."

"Over the years I have saved some silver! I plan to allocate a portion, using it as relief funds for the clan's widows, orphans, and the elderly, and to give monthly stipends of money and grain to clan members in financial difficulty."

"On the other hand, it is for the education of the clan's younger members, to cultivate those who aspire to fame and the battlefield, to have the clan's youth study literature and practice martial arts, to become a pillar useful to family and nation! Our Jia Family calls itself a household of poetry, books, and ornaments, yet we have not even a few juren, xiucai, or military nobles and generals…"

Jia Jing had not finished speaking when Jia Zheng clapped his hands and praised:

"Good! Brother Jia Jing, your words are truly virtuous! It's rare that Brother Jia Jing does not forget the clan, performing this great righteous act; truly both virtuous and talented, making his uncle feel ashamed!"

Beside them, Tan Chun, Xiang Yun and the others also had eyes full of enthusiastic praise; no wonder he is Third Brother, for upon his return the first thing he thinks of is helping the distressed and being kind to the clan.

Only then does he seem like a man who accomplishes great deeds outside, valuing the long term over gold and silver, possessing vision and foresight.

Daiyu's eyes, clear as autumn water, blinked; Third Brother's kindness to the clan is not false, but she always feels this matter is not that simple.

She does not think that the Third Brother, who spoke forcefully and was steadfast on that day in Rong Qing Tang, would have changed his nature; perhaps he will first show kindness then authority, and his designs are not small!

Feng Jie also cast a rather doubtful glance at Jia Jing, wondering if this is the same third brother who that day punched Lai Da and kicked Wang Shanbao's third younger brother.

Jia Mu had already prepared a mouthful of rebuttals, but at this moment she could not utter a single word.

Jia Jing did not say which servant to punish, nor which rule to revise, but presented such a grand plan beneficial to the clan—how could she oppose it!

If she were to oppose it, wouldn't she be jabbed in the spine and scolded by the clan members!