Chapter 89 Visit to Lixiangyuan
"Don't worry about this matter, I'll let your second uncle and Zhen'er choose it personally!"
"With the help of Second Uncle and Big Brother Zhen, it will be fine. However, I also need to inform those disciples in advance that although I am the commander of the military department, they still have to start from the bottom to gain experience."
"If you have the ability, you will be promoted faster than others with my support. If you don't have the ability, you will lose face for my Jia family!"
The old lady had no objection to this. As long as it wasn't his Baoyu, she would be happy for Jia Cong to teach the children in the family to be sensible .
"In addition, when I was in the army, I had bought some property. As the old ancestor knows, during the past two years of fighting, I have changed many guards around me. Although the imperial court provides some compensation for those who died in battle, it is only 20 or 30 taels. How will the orphans and widows survive ?"
"So I bought some property. First, to provide a livelihood for the families of these soldiers. Second, in addition to the money given by the court, I also gave them some extra money. They died for me, so I naturally can't let those orphans and widows be without money."
"Because these businesses have always been managed by the families of the soldiers, it is not appropriate for the clan to intervene, so I would like to ask the old lady to find a set of rules."
Grandmother Jia understood immediately that this was her grandson who had acquired property but did not want it to be confiscated by the government.
If it were anyone else, it would not work, but since this grandson was already an earl, it was not a problem. Even after Jia Cong was promoted to marquis, it would be normal for him to open his own mansion, and it was indeed not appropriate for him to interfere in the mansion.
"This is your own business. Don't worry. I will personally talk to Zhen'er and your father about it and will not let them interfere!"
Jia Cong smiled and thanked him. "Although the property is not worth much, my grandson has made up his mind to give 10% to the public, and let my second sister-in-law check all the accounts."
"You monkey, does the mansion still need your little property?" Grandmother Jia scolded with a smile.
"My grandson naturally knows the wealth of the mansion. However, in order for my grandson to take the imperial examination, my second uncle not only let me study in Mengpozhai, but also personally guided me and helped me with everything. Although my grandson can no longer take the imperial examination, I will always remember my second uncle's friendship in my heart."
"Okay, good grandson! No matter how much it is, it's just a token of your appreciation. I will thank you on behalf of your uncle."
Ever since Jia Cong rose to prominence, she has been showing him favors. Naturally, Jia Cong's return now makes her satisfied and happy.
After chatting with the old lady for a while, Jia Cong stood up and said, "Old lady, I haven't greeted you since I came back. I'll go sit with you now!"
"Go, go!"
After leaving Lady Jia's courtyard, they called Xiaoque'er and the others who were waiting in the ear room, and the group headed towards Lixiang Courtyard in a mighty manner.
After entering Lixiang Courtyard, the three members of the Xue family came out to greet them after a maid reported the situation.
"Meet my aunt, meet Brother Xue, meet Sister Bao!"
Aunt Xue smiled and said, "My son, you are not allowed to do this. You are now a nobleman. If you perform etiquette properly, if outsiders knew about it, they would say that I don't know the difference between respect and inferiority!"
Jia Cong laughed loudly, "Even if I am granted the title of Duke, does that mean that my aunt will no longer recognize me as her nephew? Or is Baoyu the only one who is my aunt's nephew?"
"You kid!" Aunt Xue nodded at Jia Cong with a smile, "To me, you and Baoyu are naturally the same."
"Evil creature, why don't you greet your brother?"
Xue Pan walked forward with a grin, patted his shoulder and said, "I said Cong was a capable man. Now that he has been conferred the title of Earl, he has become even more prominent."
Aunt Xue was so angry about her son that she said, "You wicked son, do you think you can call me Cong-ge'er?"
"Aunt, Brother Xue is a straightforward person, and this makes him seem approachable!"
Aunt Xue looked at her son with a look of disappointment on her face! Although they were not blood relatives, she could barely be considered an elder, so it was okay to be a little arrogant and appear closer, but what was her son's position? How could he address a nobleman like this?
"Brother Cong!" Baochai stepped forward and bowed slightly.
Jia Cong gave her a false helping, "Sister Bao, please get up quickly. I've heard that your stewed goose feet and crow letters are the most delicious. Today, I came to your place specially to eat."
"Hahaha!" Aunt Xue laughed happily, "It's just some food. Since Cong is happy, if you want to eat, just ask someone to send a message to your aunt and I will prepare it for you."
As soon as the group of people entered the house, they started talking to each other!
"Brother Xue, how is your family's business going recently?"
Xue Pan touched his head and smiled. How could he know anything about business? He usually didn't care about the business. Aunt Xue and Baochai took care of the accounts.
"Our business is just like that. We have to spend money on food and drink anyway. It doesn't matter if we have more or less money."
"You evil creature, you only know how to talk nonsense!" Aunt Xue glared at Xue Pan first, then said to Jia Cong with a wry smile, "Don't be afraid of Cong's laughter, but in fact, since your uncle passed away, the family business has been declining. First, the business share of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was taken away by other families, and the government offices in various places have been involved. For example, in the capital, the messengers of the government offices have to be taken care of, and the old soldiers in the city have to be taken care of too..."
"We are an orphan and a widow. Although we have the support of the palace and the Wang family, we can't always ask the old lady for help."
"Mom..." Baochai said anxiously, "How can you tell Brother Cong these dirty things!"
Jia Cong laughed out loud, "So, that's what happened."
"Don't bother me, auntie . It's just a small matter. In a few days, I will take up the post of the Five Cities Army. If there are any problems with the shops, please ask Brother Xue to find me directly."
"Ah!" Aunt Xue really had forgotten about this matter. "Don't misunderstand, Cong'er. Aunt has no other intentions, and many of them are also routine. Cong'er, just think that Aunt is talking nonsense, don't take it to heart."
"Aunt, since I am in charge of the Military Affairs Department, the rules are naturally different from others. As for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I will find a chance to say something. I think they will not be too partial to us."
Seeing that Jia Cong really didn't care about her words, Aunt Xue was relieved. After hearing Jia Cong's next words, her face was even happier.
"Okay, okay, then Auntie will thank Brother Cong!"
"If Aunt wants to thank me, please prepare some delicious food. I haven't had any delicious food in the past two years in the army!"
One side tried its best to please, the other side was humble and polite, and naturally both sides were satisfied with this casual conversation. When it came to the dinner, there were all kinds of delicious food. Just this banquet, I'm afraid it would cost one or two hundred taels of silver to buy it. Aunt Xue obviously spent a lot of money!
