Chapter 64

Next, Jia Daixiu read out the memorial text, informing the ancestors of what great event had occurred.

All that could be heard was the sonorous, rising-and-falling old voice resonating within the ancestral hall:

"Wei

The imperial grace is vast, the years renew; the descendants reverently offer pure wine as sacrifice, announcing before the spirits of all forefathers: Remember our ancestors, Ning Rong who founded the house, aided the Da Han Empire in establishing its rule over all under heaven, pacifying the four directions. Receiving Heaven's mandate and answering the people's call, virtue spreading to all eight directions, cutting through thorns and trampling brambles, merit penetrating the vast heavens, all under heaven revere!

This passage commemorates the ancestors' achievements.

All who heard felt honored; the two founding ancestors of Rong and Ning, as the two great dukes who founded the state, possessed awe-inspiring prestige.

Back then, the Jia family was extraordinarily prosperous; even in Shenjing City it was a top-tier noble house.

"The junior generation's Jia Jing, favored by Heaven, stationed on the Liaodong border and earned merit; in one battle he slew 150,000 enemy troops, killed the False Qing's grand prince Yin Hui in Jizhou City, his battle robe stained with blood, exalting our nation's might. Ennobled as a marquis and appointed a general, he glorifies his ancestors, his jade pendant shining, stellar radiance aiding him, he renews the family's fame and revives the household."

This passage then recounts Jia Jing's achievements.

The Jia clan members listened, their hearts surging, and all turned to look at Jia Jing, who stood in the front wearing a battle uniform.

These days, they had long since investigated Jia Jing's military exploits in clear detail.

After all, when the Qing army once threatened Shenjing and the situation was critical, Jia Jing sent three victorious reports to the capital, giving him great influence.

His fame ringing out at that time was certainly no exaggeration.

Even when Jia clan members went out, upon learning they were of Jia Jing's lineage, they were held in higher esteem and often treated with respect.

Moreover, Jia Jing, ennobled at a young age with outstanding exploits, has become a role model for many young Jia clan members.

They all hope to follow Jia Jing in building merit and establishing a career, to gain a marquisate that brings honor to wife and children, and to glorify the family gate.

To glorify one's ancestors is the ultimate, eternal romance in every man's heart!

"……The ancestral hall's lamps glow in unison, the embroidered curtains hang low, all descendants gather, observing the ancient rites. We pray that the spirits remain aware, bless the later generations, so that merit endures forever, the caps and sashes remain unchanged, and the melon vines continue to spread."

"Please partake!"

With Jia Daixiu's old voice slowly fading away.

After the Jia clan members paid their respects to the ancestors again, they then streamed out of the ancestral hall.

Jia Jing ordered a servant to bring chairs, and in the courtyard outside the ancestral hall he began convening a meeting for the clan members.

Jia Jing and Jia Mu sat at the head; Jia Zheng, Jia Zhen, Jia Dairu, Jia Daixiu and other elders of high status and age sat on either side, while the rest stood or squatted, filling the courtyard.

Jia Jing spoke first:

"You are all members of the Jia clan, and we have just met face to face!"

"I, Jing, owe my ancestors' blessings and the emperor's grace; having been ennobled as Marquis of Pacifying Martial, I ought to repay the clan, aid the distressed, cherish the elderly and pity the young, and also contribute to the clan's growth."

"As the saying goes, when the clan prospers we all share glory; Elder Brother Zhen, please bring the genealogy and accounts for me to see."

As soon as Jia Jing said that, the venue instantly erupted.

The clan members have repeatedly tried to curry favor with Jia Jing, nothing more than hoping to follow him to gain wealth and status, right?

Jia Zhen beside him slightly changed expression, not expecting Jia Jing to want to see the clan's accounts, but he dared not refuse, so he had someone fetch them.

Jia Jing let his gaze sweep over the Jia clan members; looking out, not all of the clan members were living well,

some were sallow and thin, some wore tattered clothes, and some even bore slight disabilities.

Living in Shenjing is no easy feat!

The Jia clan's eight branches number hundreds; even after Rong and Ning, they cannot all be wealthy scions, many not even making ends meet.

Jia Jing sank his voice and asked Jia Zhen:

"Elder Brother Zhen, what provisions does the clan's income from fields and property usually provide for the clan members?"

Jia Zhen hesitated, then said:

"These years the clan fields have had poor harvests, so the main income goes to sacrifices and clan school expenses."

Jia Jing said:

"Then is there any relief for the poor, orphaned, elderly, and young clan members?"

Jia Zhen shook his head.

Although he wanted to bluff his way through, now that the clan members were present, whether he had done it or not was obvious at a glance.

Jia Jing's face darkened a bit, and he said:

"Are there subsidies for clan members' weddings, funerals, and other major affairs?"

Jia Zhen still shook his head.

"Is there any assistance or rewards for clan members taking the imperial examinations or joining the military? Are grain rations and clothing distributed during regular festivals?"

Jia Zhen's face flushed red, and he spoke softly:

"In former years, during festivals there could still be a surplus, which we distributed as money and grain to clan members according to closeness of relation, and the tribute offerings from each year's sacrifices were also allotted to the junior branches."

"These past few years the harvests have truly been poor…"

Seeing Jia Zhen made uncomfortable by Jia Jing's questioning, the clan members nearby felt greatly pleased.

This clan head Jia Zhen knows only how to drink and indulge himself, taking concubine after concubine, and would never care about the clan members' lives or deaths.

Even when clan members went to Ning Guo Fu for help, he mostly stayed aloof.

Simply not using his family's power and wealth to bully the clan members would already be good; yet one still hopes he could be friendly toward the clan.

Although there have been occasional natural disasters these years, they occurred in Henan and Shandong provinces—what does that have to do with Shenjing?

Jia Jing let out a cold snort, his sharp gaze piercing Jia Zhen, and he rebuked in a cold voice:

"What a fine clan head you are! Your only merit is forgetting the benevolent kinfolk deeds of your predecessors! Back when the first Duke of Rong was alive, he often gave aid to the clan members."

"Each year clan members could receive grain and clothing according to population; for those unable to afford weddings or funerals, the clan would contribute six thousand cash—these were all agreed-upon regulations!"

"How come you can't do this? Have you been wholeheartedly devoted to clan affairs? You, as clan head, are derelict in duty!"

Lady Yu, standing aside, saw Jia Zhen embarrassed and flustered under Jia Jing's questioning before the crowd, and hurriedly spoke to defuse the situation:

"Your elder brother Zhen isn't having it easy either! He usually manages Ning Guo Fu, and he often shows filial respect to the grandmother and grandfather; it's unavoidable that he overlooks some clan matters! My lord, perhaps you should let him off for now!"

Others such as Jia Rong, Jia Qiang, Jia Huang, etc., also chimed in, saying a few kind words to Jia Zhen, lest Jia Zhen later take out his anger on them.

Jia Zhen, meanwhile, had a face as still as water, coldly gazing at Jia Jing seated in the highest place, a surge of vexation and hatred rising in his chest.

He had never suffered such humiliation; actually, in front of everyone, he was scolded by a young whippersnapper to the point of not daring to speak.

Thinking of himself, since taking charge of Ning Guo Fu, his status had been noble and his wealth considerable.

Every day he enjoyed blessings and comforts; no one in the manor or clan dared provoke him, and at the slightest displeasure he could freely beat and scold, without any restraint—how carefree his life had been!

But today he was publicly questioned, losing all face—what utter disgrace!

He dared only to keep his anger buried in his heart, not daring to retort a single word.

Not only because Jia Jing is the reigning marquis, high in rank and powerful.

Moreover, he knew that Jia Jing had not only slaughtered tens of thousands of Qing troops at the border, but also in Qian Qing Gong had rebuked Duke Zhao to the point of vomiting blood, his arrogance blazing, his fame formidable; he truly dared not confront him face to face.

He could only silently think to himself: Indeed, as Uncle She said, this is a calamitous scourge! Do not let me get a chance, or I will surely avenge this grudge!