Chapter 204 Opening the Ancestral Hall
They didn't know that Jia Cong was sighing in his heart: There is no harm without comparison...
Now Baoyu is the only legitimate son left in the two families. If she wants all the benefits of the Jia family to fall on her, she must give Baoyu a push.
If I don’t let those people completely disappoint Baoyu, how can I take over the remaining influence of the Jia family…
The crowd had a great time in the East Palace all day, and only dispersed after a big banquet in the evening. However, because the ancestral hall was to be opened the next day, everyone except Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang stayed in the East Palace.
The next day, historians Shi Ding, Shi Nai, Wang Ziteng, as well as Aunt Xue and Xue Pan came early!
Grandmother Jia sat high up on the throne, while Jia Zheng, Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Xing, Baoyu, Jia Cong and others sat on the left and right with Wang Ziteng. The others did not rush over, but were playing in Keqing's or Youshi's courtyards.
"Uncle Wang, after you left that day, I met the emperor again in the back hall. His Majesty told me to just wait for his orders. It will only take three to five days."
Wang Ziteng was overjoyed when he heard this and stood up suddenly, "Really?"
"How could I talk nonsense like this to my uncle!" Jia Cong said with a smile.
Wang Ziteng bowed to the ground without saying anything, "My Lord, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness! I have been so arrogant as to call you your uncle, and from now on, you will just have to wait and see what I do!"
Shi Ding and Shi Nai said with envy, "Congratulations, Zi Teng!"
"There's no need to rush, uncles. The Emperor and His Majesty are making great use of our founding lineage. Sooner or later, uncles will be put to important positions!"
Shi Ding laughed and said, "Then we will accept Cong's good words!"
The old lady on the high couch asked curiously, "From what you said, what position did Zi Teng hold?"
She had not mentioned Wang Ziteng in the past two days. After all, Jia Cong had taken over the post of governor of Beijing Camp from Wang Ziteng. However, although the Wang family was close, it was always better to be in the hands of her own grandson. So, she did not ask.
"Aunt!" Shi Ding said, "The Minister of War retired a few days ago, and because of the previous incident at Tiewang Mountain, Congge planned this matter. Ziteng was also somewhat at fault, and he might not be able to continue as the governor of the Beijing Camp, so he simply resigned and let Congge take over, while Ziteng competed for the position of Minister of War. Now, our founding lineage has won a great victory!"
"All this is the respect that the Marquis has gained in the eyes of His Majesty!" Wang Ziteng said gratefully.
The old lady was delighted to hear this, "Great, our families will prosper together and suffer together! This is how we should support each other! Cong'er, you should learn more from Zi Teng and your two uncles in the future!"
"That's right, old lady!" Aunt Xue said quickly, "Aren't we all just like one family?"
Aunt Xue looked at Jia Cong and was absolutely extremely satisfied...
Jia Cong agreed, but Wang Ziteng and the others did not dare to respond. Now they all still counted on Jia Cong's help...
Everyone else in the room was happy, except for Mrs. Wang, who looked a little unhappy! Before, when the Jia family was in trouble, she had Wang Ziteng as her backing, so even the old lady had to give her some face. Now, her brother's official position actually depends on that bastard? Wouldn't she be a few steps lower in the future?
"Master, the time is almost up!" Jia Zhong walked in and said to Jia Cong.
"Old lady, let the first and second wives stay here with you first. My sister-in-law and sisters will probably be here soon. Let's go to the ancestral hall first!"
"Go!" Grandmother Jia waved her hand happily.
Before Jia Cong led a group of people to the ancestral hall, a group of male members of the side branches also arrived early!
After the ceremony, Wang Ziteng and several others watched the ceremony, and Jia Cong led everyone in the mansion to open the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors! The process was naturally solemn and cumbersome, and it took nearly an hour before the ceremony of worshiping the ancestors was declared over.
Then, Jia Cong said to the side branches, "A few days ago, my second uncle and I discussed two things, and it would be a good opportunity for you all to listen."
"First of all, our family has many farms, fields, mountains and the like outside the city. In the past, Brother Zhen collected the annual harvest for the public and then distributed it to the clan members. Now there is no need to be so troublesome. Just divide it up and let each family take care of it. When the time comes, keep 20% to 30% for the public, and each family will take the rest directly."
All the side branches were delighted when they heard this. How could they not know the difference?
"The clan leader cares about his people, which is our blessing!" said Jia Daixiu. He became more and more satisfied with the clan leader he chose.
The rest of the people also thanked him.
"I'll leave the specific division to Jia Yun. It's not that I, the clan leader, am overconfident. I will be taking up my post in the Beijing camp in two days, so I really don't have the time to take care of it!"
"The clan leader's business is the most important. Yun'er has grown a lot following the clan leader, so he will naturally be able to handle it." Jia Daixiu said, stroking his short beard.
"After the distribution, each family needs to be more careful. If they fail to manage it well and let others snatch it away, they can't blame others." Jia Cong said again.
Naturally, no one had any objection!
"The second thing is about clan studies!"
"I have asked people to vacate the houses around the clan school on the back street. Those that need to be demolished should be demolished, and those that need to be rebuilt should be rebuilt! The master has grown old and has lost strength in the past two years, so I have arranged for servants and maids to take care of him. In addition, the mansion will pay a monthly allowance of ten taels so that the master can enjoy his old age without having to worry about the clan so much!"
"Starting next month, the clan school will change the rules!"
"First, in addition to learning literature, we also need to build up our strength! Our Jia family is a family of meritorious service, and we should be good at both civil and military affairs!"
"As for academics, I have asked Master to invite great scholars to come. As for martial arts, I will let the generals from the Military Department or the Beijing Camp take charge!"
"Moreover, you can go home for three days off every month, and the rest of the time you will eat and live in the clan school!"
"No matter if they are civil or military, there will be monthly assessments. Those with good grades will be rewarded, and those with poor grades will be punished! Uncles and aunts, if the clan school punishes you harshly, don't blame me."
People always want their children to be successful, and these people are no exception. Jia Cong's method is obviously for the children of the family to have a promising future, so how can they not agree? In fact, compared with those properties, they are more happy and supportive of this.
"If you don't learn your lesson, I'll beat you up! You deserve it even if you have to die!"
"Yes, the clan leader has provided such good conditions. If I can't learn well, who can I blame?"
"The clan leader may punish us severely. Anyone who is unwilling can just quit the clan school!"
Not only the Jia family, but even Wang Ziteng, Shi Ding and others were delighted.
"Brother Cong, we are blood relatives, we cannot favor one over the other. When your clan starts to learn, I will also send the children of the Shi family over. However, whether it is to contribute money, people, or labor, the Shi family is willing to do so."
