Chapter 77: Grandmother Jia's Warning
Except for those who already knew about Jia Cong's reward, everyone else was in an uproar! You know, most of the generals' rewards just now were just a one or two-level promotion, and a few were given the title of baron. Even General Niu Jizong was only given the title of Cavalry Commandant, and was not promoted to Marquis.
But Jia Cong was first conferred the title of first-class son last year, and now he was directly promoted to second-class earl. He was definitely the one with the biggest leap in this border defense.
When everyone in the Jia family heard this, even though they had been prepared, they still couldn't help but feel happy.
After Jia Cong's reward, it was the turn of rewards for the other eight dukes and twelve marquises. Among them, Ma Chuang, the Duke of Zhiguo, and Hou Jing, the Duke of Xiuguo, were awarded the first and second class barons respectively. The rest of the people received no titles, and some were even just given a few symbolic verbal praises.
Of course there were some who were not convinced, but Jia Cong earned the title by fighting his way through thousands of soldiers. He was definitely the one with the most military merits in guarding the border. Most of them were just transporting food and fodder, or even just staying in the camp. Where did their merits come from?
Moreover, Jia Cong's reward this time was not smooth! The various factions in the court were naturally in dispute, and even the opinions within the founding lineage were unbalanced. However, the rare civil official Fang Yao's lineage came out to speak for Jia Cong. Everyone was a little surprised about this, but considering Jia Cong's identity, it was understandable.
After all, no matter what, Jia Cong can be regarded as a descendant of Fang Yao's lineage. Even if he gave up literature and took up martial arts, they still had the status of master and apprentice.
Just when everyone was arguing, Dai Quan came and conveyed the order of the retired emperor, and the title was finally decided.
After the rewards were given, Niu Jizon, Jia Cong and others would go to the palace to express their gratitude, while the rest would return.
In Rong Xi Hall, Jia's grandmother sat high up, and all the other people in the mansion were present. What everyone was talking about was Jia Cong's prestige today!
"Today, our two families have shown their faces in front of our old relatives and friends!" Jia's mother laughed, "Just now, even the old princess of Xining County Prince and the old princess dowager and princess of Beijing Prince's Mansion took the initiative to talk to the old woman. This is all due to Cong's dignity."
After saying that, she glanced at everyone present, and then said to Jia She, "Boss!"
Jia She stood up in a hurry, and heard the old lady say, "I know you have never liked Cong'er. You never looked at him straight in the eye before in the mansion. But now my grandson has been guarding the border for two years for the whole mansion, and he has finally returned, and he has been conferred the title of super-class earl. If you, as a father, dare to criticize Cong'er again in the future, don't say that I, an old woman, don't be unhappy!"
Grandmother Jia was not really worrying for no reason. In this era, filial piety was more important than anything else. Even though the emperor had ascended the throne, he had to speak respectfully in front of the emperor emeritus. If Jia She suppressed Jia Cong, Jia Cong would have no choice but to disobey his father or secretly kill Jia She, otherwise he would have to accept it.
Jia She quickly agreed, and Xing Shi, who was standing beside him, also stood up and said, "Don't worry, old lady. After all, Congge is the eldest son of the eldest house. Now that he has become capable, the eldest master and I will be happy. How can we blame Congge?"
"Yes!" Grandmother Jia nodded, and then said to Jia Zhen and Jia She, "Brother Cong's title is a great joy for us. Zhen'er, you should prepare to open the ancestral hall. This important event must be informed to our ancestors!"
"Second brother, prepare the invitations and send them to the homes of all the old relatives! For such a happy event, we should hold a grand banquet to celebrate for Brother Cong."
Then, Jia's mother glanced at Wang and said, "And you, although Cong'er is a bastard, he has now become an earl. He is a general who leads a large army to fight and kill. You can't anger him. If anyone offends Cong'er, he will not give me, an old woman, face. I can only accept it. Do you understand?"
Everyone had different thoughts, but they quickly agreed.
"Alright, Cong will go to the palace to express his gratitude. I'm afraid he will be back in more than an hour! Clean up the house first, and Feng will prepare a banquet. Cong will come into the mansion later. Let the maids, servants, and maids go to greet him."
Grandmother Jia's words made everyone deeply realize the change in Jia Cong's identity and his importance to the Jia family!
As they were talking, a maid came in and reported, "Old Madam, Steward Lai said that the Third Master's personal soldiers have arrived outside the mansion. I want to ask if they should be arranged to stay at the farm outside the city according to the usual practice!"
Grandmother Jia narrowed her eyes, then said calmly, "This Lai Da only takes care of these trivial matters. How much does he know about the outside world? Forget it, Feng girl, you go and take care of this matter yourself."
"The large courtyard in the southwest corner of the front yard was where the Duke's personal soldiers lived. Now that we have a noble who leads soldiers in our mansion , we should also place these personal soldiers in that large courtyard! For all the food and clothing expenses, we will first give each person two taels per month, and give each person another twenty taels for settling down."
"Their families were placed in the back streets."
"Have someone clear out an alley so that they can live close to each other and move around easily. Also, arrange for the distribution of all the things according to the old rules of the annual festivals. Don't let people think that my Jia family is mean."
Everyone present was shocked when they heard this. The old lady's few words might cost less than two thousand taels of silver, not to mention the monthly salary.
"Madam, isn't this reward too generous? They are just personal soldiers after all. Wouldn't it be enough to give them a few taels of silver? As for the monthly allowance, the girls in our house only get two taels of silver a month. If this gets out, wouldn't it be seen as confusing the main and the secondary?"
"Bang!" The old lady slammed her cane. "You are also a lady in the mansion, how can you be so superficial?"
Wang's expression changed and she knelt down neatly.
"What do you think of them? Are they the old women and maids in your courtyard? They are Congge's personal soldiers, the dignity of Congge, the uncle! Moreover, not only did they follow Congge to fight on the battlefield before, but if Congge is in danger in the future, they will use their lives to protect Congge!"
"A person like this is worth only a few taels of silver?"
Wang Xifeng hurried forward upon seeing this and also knelt down beside her, "Don't be angry, old lady. It's not that the Second Madam is mean, it's really that the women in our backyard have little knowledge. The old lady served two generations of Dukes, how can we youngsters compare to her?"
"If the old lady hadn't told me, Feng'er might not have been able to make the arrangements properly!"
"After listening to what the old lady said today, I finally understood the difference between these personal soldiers. You can rest assured that Feng'er will go there in person later and will definitely let them know the kindness of our Jia Mansion and Cong'er, and will never lose Cong'er's dignity."
