The bear child of the Red Chamber, Jia Cong

But when Jia Cong bluntly said that the jasper mountain son given by the old sage cannot be regarded as a birthday gift, Gao Ying hurriedly said: "Such important things should not be used as birthday gifts, and the ones given by Kuang Yu cannot be sold or given away."

Jia Cong smiled wryly and said: "As the saying goes, family ugliness should not be publicized. Now it is more inconvenient not to talk about some things."

Gao Ying said: "Cousin Cong, if you have any difficulties, don't tell me."

Jia Cong said: "If I don't tell you, you have to guess, and you may not guess what it will be. It's better to tell you." Then he and Jia Huan looked at each other, drank a cup of tea, and sighed, "Cousin Gao, do you know that our family has troubled Uncle Ge Liu to come to Chang'an to retrieve the 7 taels of silver left in the Gao family in the early years?"

Gao Ying nodded: "I've heard about it before."

Jia Cong said: "At that time, our family checked the warehouse and found that there was a thief. I was afraid that the money would not be enough for a while, so I remembered this incident." A lot of account books were found from the house of a second wife's confidant and steward. It turned out that the second wife's housekeeper was very corrupt in public accounts in those years. My father was annoyed and forced her to pay back the money! Her money didn't know where it went If I can’t get it out, I will borrow money from her sister’s family.”

Gao Ying pondered: "So, that day your mansion was not attacked by outside thieves, but by internal thieves?"

Jia Cong nodded slowly, and easily gave the title of inner thief to Mrs. Wang.Then he talked about the second room's non-payment of the money, Xue's family forced the debt and took the psychic treasure jade as payment, Mrs. Wang Jiamu secretly sold the private house and Gong Kun managed to trap it.

After finishing talking, he stopped to drink tea. Gao Ying and Ou Cheng looked at each other for a while, and said in amazement: "I just didn't come to my senses. If I heard correctly, the private house of the old lady and the second wife in your house , You actually bought it with your own private house?

Jia Cong nodded: "Although I am young, I can also do some business and save some private houses. Because they are anxiously waiting for money to redeem jade, they naturally took advantage of a lot."

Gao Ying gasped, the way he looked at Jia Cong changed.He has such a great idea that he has the ability to save money to buy Mrs. Jia's private house!Even though he already knew that this son was unusual, he became more unusual each time.

Jia Cong laughed again and said: "In the old year, my second sister-in-law was happy, and several sisters were in danger to take care of the family. Fang found out from the old accounts that they had lost contact with the Gao family. To be honest, how old are they? Miss Deep Boudoir, every day I only care about reciting poems, drawing pictures and guessing characters; suddenly I have to manage a large family of hundreds of people, as well as the many properties next to the Zhuangzi shop, even my family's horse escort agency. Inside and outside I really don’t have any experience in dealing with people of all kinds... I am so tired and lazy, and I don’t care about birthday gifts. It wasn’t until a few days before we left Beijing that Mr. Gong took time to look at the list of gifts and exclaimed that it was too thin Jane. It’s just that I don’t have the time to prepare the ceremony again, and I’m afraid my sisters will lose face. Therefore, I invited an expert to choose these from the private houses that the old lady and the second wife have hurriedly sold. Seven things are added."

Ou Cheng couldn't help shouting: "So generous!"

Gao Ying also praised: "What a considerate kid."

Gong Kun glanced at Jia Huan, and Jia Huan glanced at Gong Kun, with words in his eyes: I can make a fool of myself, as if it were real...

Jia Cong forced a smile, and continued: "The old ancestor probably planned to leave this jade mountain to Brother Baoyu privately, and she would not sell it if she was not in urgent need of money. I really don't know that this thing was given by the old sage for the great victory in Shanhaiguan Yes. It's not that I don't want to part with this thing, but I really don't want to part with the glory of my grandfather."

Gao Ying nodded and said: "If you are reluctant to part with something, this thing will not come to Chang'an."

Ou Cheng also said: "Originally Mrs. Shi was greedy for ink, so I should get it for you. If he knew it, he would definitely not give it away."

Jia Cong smiled wryly and said, "I don't know how many times I have spoken to me about the Shanhaiguan victory. If I let him know that I gave this away to someone, he would have the audacity to ask for it back. Don't you believe it?" ?”

Ou Cheng clapped his hands and laughed, "I believe it! How long have I only been in your house? He said it five or six times."

Jia Cong frowned again and said, "I originally picked seven pieces just for my aunt's [-]th birthday. It seems inappropriate to add one piece missing. Where can I make up for it now?"

Gao Ying said with a smile: "Isn't six better? Liuliu Dashun. In fact, I don't care about one more thing or one less thing. My grandmother is not short of this. It's just a wish."

Yao'er coughed and said, "I held back all the way and didn't say anything. It's better to have an even number of things for the old man's birthday."

Jia Cong was stunned: "Huh? What's the point? I've never heard of it! You didn't say it earlier."

Yao'er glanced at him: "Everything was on the way when you told me." Everyone couldn't help smiling when they heard the words, and the room calmed down for a while.

Jia Cong patted the back of his head and said with a smile, "That's all, it's a crooked attack."

Then he pried open the other six boxes with all his might.

There is a three-foot-high red coral tree with dazzling brilliance; another statue of Avalokitesvara, which is compassionate and solemn; Gu Hu's head scroll "Walking Three Dragons"; Inside the box was a Western music box!It was also the first time for Jia Cong to see these things, and he couldn't help secretly admiring Qin Keqing's foresight and courage—not only could this woman recognize top-notch things, she really dared to pick them and send them for him!

Everyone was more or less knowledgeable, and they clicked their tongues in admiration, Gao Ying said with a smile: "My grandson looked at it for a long time, but he missed grandma."

Jia Congyin asked shopkeeper Liu, "Is there any place in Zuojin that can make a suitable gift box immediately?"

Shopkeeper Liu said with a smile: "The size and appearance of the boxes of various colors have been given to me in Beijing, and I will make them all ready. Just wait for Mr. Cong to come over and repack them."

Jia Cong secretly praised Qin Keqing for her meticulousness, nodded with a smile and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Immediately, these few things were packed up and carried onto the car, and everyone rushed out.Taking advantage of the chaos, Gong Kun casually whispered into Yao'er's ear: "I don't seem to have heard that even birthday gifts need to be given in even numbers. I'm afraid you made it up."

Yao'er said indifferently: "Throughout the ages, there have been many people who have fabricated things, but not one more."

Gong Kun stared at him, shook his head and said, "Others still say you are honest." He withdrew and left.

The people in Rongguo Mansion followed Gao Yingoucheng to Gao Mansion.

Compared with the extravagance and magnificence of the wealthy families in Beijing, the gates of Gao's mansion carried a murderous aura. Jia Cong rode on his horse and stared blankly for a long time, when he heard Gao Ying calling him, he hurriedly jumped off.Just after arriving at the door, a daughter-in-law with soft eyebrows and eyes came up to greet her and said, "Master, the old lady is inside the Yimen."

Gao Ying laughed and said, "Grandmother is in a hurry?" Then she led Jia Cong and Jia Huan inside.

From a distance, I saw a white-haired old woman surrounded by many people in front of Yimen, wearing a purple cloak, leaning on a cane and standing upright.Jia Cong couldn't help but let out a "wow~~": "It seems that Madam She is going to fight!"

Pian Oucheng heard it, and said with a smile: "The old matriarch really went to the battlefield back then, and Duke Rong scolded him for several years."

Jia Huan hurriedly asked, "Did you win?"

Ou Cheng nodded: "I won."

Jia Huan and Jia Cong let out an "ow" at the same time.

When they got close, the two of them hurriedly knelt down and saluted. Jia Taijun smiled and helped them up, wrapped one in each hand, supported his head and neck and kept saying "yes", tears dripped down the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

Jia Huan and Jia Cong also wept for a while, and then a woman stepped forward to persuade her: "The children are here safely, the old lady doesn't have to worry about it day and night, please be happy."

Jia Taijun then withdrew his tears and pointed to them one by one: "This is the first cousin, this is the second cousin... this is the third cousin, this is the fourth cousin..." He introduced a lot in one breath, and he Both of them bowed, but in fact, many faces were not remembered.

Gao Li's wife Ding said: "The old lady is looking forward to these days. Our mansion has already tidied up a yard for the two brothers."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Thank you, auntie." Gong Kun was naturally in charge at the moment, and led the people down to resettle.Everyone accompanied Jia Taijun and slowly turned around and entered.

At the top of the main hall, Jia Taijun was sitting in the middle, and some servants served tea.

Jia Congfang said: "My aunt is so healthy, we can rest assured."

Jia Taijun smiled and said, "It's just an old bone."

Jia Cong said: "An old man in a family is a treasure. Even if you are thousands of miles away like Uncle Gao, and you can't ask for a few letters, if he knows in his heart that you are old and well, it will be his reassurance."

Gao Ying hurriedly said: "Very well, grandma is safe and my father is at peace."

Jia Taijun laughed and said, "You are sensible at such a young age."

Suddenly a daughter-in-law came in and whispered something to Ding, and Ding stepped forward with a smile and said: "There are some rare items in the gift list of Rongguo Mansion. I am envious after hearing them. Why don't the old lady take them and let us have a treat?" Open your eyes?"

Gao Ying knew that his mother wanted to make his grandmother look good, so he smiled and said, "To be honest, I've already seen it first."

Jia Taijun hurriedly said: "Bring it up quickly! I haven't seen it yet, but let this little monkey see it first."

Gao Ying was embarrassed, he has been in the army for all these years, how could anyone dare to call him a little monkey?Everyone laughed quietly.

Not long after, the six items were brought in, and everyone stared at them with wide eyes.Because these things are expensive, Jia Taijun was also quite surprised, and was a little stunned for a while.

Jia Cong pointed to the music box and said, "Don't look at this ugly one, but it's a Western antique, and it's extremely rare in the West."

Gao Ying walked with him all the way, knowing that he knew a lot about Western affairs, so he hurriedly asked what it was.

Jia Cong said: "This is called a music box. If you are more specific, it should be called a Swiss cylinder music box. In recent years, most Western nobles have used French-style doll music boxes. This one is like—" He pointed to the Xuande furnace , "Well, it's like the one I'm facing. Nowadays, rich and noble families in Beijing use gold and jade furnaces to burn incense. Who still uses copper?"

Gao Ying immediately understood and was amazed, then asked him what this was for.

Jia Cong smiled lightly, shook the handle, and after a while, the music box jingled.Everyone in the room widened their eyes and opened their mouths, staring at it like a child.Half a day later, when the music box finished playing, Jia Cong glanced around happily, but he didn't see any of them, so he tried his best to pretend to be indifferent and smiled and said: "Although it is an ancient thing, it is extremely delicate and exquisite, compared to those on the western market today." The gorgeous doll music box is much more simple and solemn. Please relieve the boredom of my aunt."

The two families have almost kept in touch all these years, how did Jia Taijun's natal family give her such a big face?The old face smiled so that the creases loosened, and even said: "Okay, okay, just put it on the small table at the top of my kang, and listen to it humming a little tune if you have nothing to do."

A big servant girl agreed.Gao Ying said with a smile: "Forget it, if I want to hear it, don't I have to go to my grandmother's house day and night to say hello?"

Jia Taijun said: "Don't come, I'm bothering you." Everyone laughed again.Then I said a few gossips, and because they were young and traveled all the way, I sent them down to rest.

Jia Huan and Jia Cong came to the courtyard to meet the brothers.This courtyard has no name, people in Gaofu call it Dongkeyuan, and it is said that it is used to entertain very important guests.The yard is more than twice the size of Lixiangyuan, and there are many houses, and everyone settled down comfortably.Because of many incidents on the road, and now that we don't have to be on duty to guard against thieves when we arrive at the place, we all feel tired and go to rest.

In the evening, Jia Taijun sent someone to invite Jia Huan and Jia Cong to have dinner together. Jia Cong smiled and looked at Gong Kun: "Probably Cousin Gao has been bragging for us all afternoon."

Gong Kun said: "You should be more modest, it's not yet a serious day, and it's not time to talk about important things today. Talk about strange things, but talk about a few things to relieve Mrs. Jia's boredom."

Jia Cong nodded, and the two brothers followed the visitor.

This time I went straight to Jia Taijun's yard, Gao Ying and his three younger cousins ​​were there, and a group of children accompanied Jia Taijun for dinner.

After the meal, Taijun Jia said to the two of them: "I heard about the Yushanzi, but fortunately you intercepted it. I'm afraid that Mrs. Shi also hid the imperial gift next to him. You can check it carefully when you go back. Some things. Although the imperial court will probably not care about these matters, if it falls into the hands of some villain, it may cause trouble."

Jia Cong and Jia Huan hurriedly responded, and said: "We didn't think about this. Thanks to my aunt for reminding me, it really is you who always thought about it."

Jia Taijun sighed: "There is no one who is thoughtful at birth, we old goblins only learned to be good after suffering a lifetime of suffering."

Gao Ying looked at Jia Cong and said, "First you said you asked Ma Xing to deliver something important because of a story. I've been thinking about it for a day, but now it's easier to talk, so hurry up!"

Jia Cong said: "It's also a Western story. There is an English country in the West. With the power of soldiers and horses, it seized a huge diamond mine in South Africa and found a diamond as big as a fist there. Westerners love diamonds very much. , so its price is particularly expensive, and the value of this thing is incalculable. They thought about transporting it back to pay tribute to the king. Because of the long distance, they were afraid of being robbed by thieves, so they hired the most prestigious bodyguard agency in the West with a huge sum of money. Escorted back to the country from the sea. The bodyguard took great pains to protect the diamond, but it still provoked countless green forest masters to use all kinds of tricks, but they couldn't find where the diamond was hidden. Naturally, they couldn't find it. There was no diamond on the ship. "He laughed, "The thing was put into an ordinary package, and it was sent from the post office set up by the English country in South Africa to London, its capital, with only one stamp on it."

After he finished speaking, although the members of the Gao family understood most of it, they were still at a loss.A child asked: "I understand everything above, only the last sentence. What is a stamp? There is also a post office."

Jia Cong said: "The post office is a business firm that delivers letters and small items for ordinary people. My family's horse shop deliberately made it look like this in the future. Stamps are somewhat similar to bank notes, but the denomination is quite low. " Then he explained to them the stamp mailbox of the Huizi Post Office. "For ordinary people, sending a letter in this way is faster and cheaper than sending a letter by a trustee. There is not much difference between sending a letter and sending a thousand letters. There are too many letters entrusted to the post office. The share of each letter will be less. You can still make money."

Gao Ying sighed: "No wonder you are already a rich man at such a young age, you really know how to think of a way." Then he turned his head and glanced at Jia Taijun.

Jia Taijun said: "It's just that ordinary people have so many letters to write?"

Jia Cong said: "Because it's not easy to send letters these days, letters from home are worth ten thousand gold, and there are fewer people who write letters. In addition, most people can't write. If the post office is really set up, everyone will see how easy it is to send letters, and gradually Everyone will love to write letters. The post office will also hire a few gentlemen to write letters there. Although they earn the money for ghost writing, the post office only sells plates, which is also beneficial. Many times, consumers are can be guided."

Gao Ying was confused again, glared at him and said, "What's the meaning of the last sentence?"

Jia Cong said with a smile, "It's hard to describe in one word, but you can only understand it without words."

Jia Huan said from the side: "He often said things that no one could understand, we pretended that we didn't hear him, and ignored him."

Jia Taijun thought about it: "Although I don't quite understand it, I can sort of guess what it means."

Jia Cong spread his hands together: "Did you hear me? My aunt is the smart person."

Jia Taijun glanced at him: "It's not as smart as you."

Jia Cong heard that there was something in her old man's words, but he didn't understand it for a while.Gao Ying didn't understand either, and secretly glanced at Jia Taijun several times.

When the two of them returned to the East Guest House, they told Gong Kun about the matter, and Gong Kun slapped his thigh fiercely: "Good idea!"

Jia Cong curled his lips and said, "I have a hunch that the good method you mentioned is not the same as what I said."

Gong Kun smiled and said, "This post office did it! It really did it."

On the other end, Taijun Jia said to Gao Ying, "Do you think he can't make much money from this post office?"

Gao Ying nodded: "It's just a small fight, the profit is too thin, even if you can make money, it's not much."

Jia Taijun sighed: "The most important thing is not money. If he really set up such post offices everywhere, he will give countless poor scholars in the world a way to make a living, and it is not a charity! The most important thing is to get scholars My son's heart is not eye-catching. This son's ambition is not small."