"There used to be a boy named Jia Hui in the mansion. He was very skilled in martial arts. He could beat the shit out of Mingyan and the other boys all by himself. I think the other family members of the soldiers would not be much different." Wang Xifeng became more and more happy as she talked.
"Jia Hui? I seem to remember this name. By the way, he is the son of Uncle Zhengdun of the old Duke's personal army." Jia Lian remembered.
As the eldest grandson of Duke Rongguo, Jia Dun, one of Duke Rong's personal soldiers, was relatively familiar with Jia Lian back then.
Only eleven or twelve years have passed since his death, but Jia Lian will never forget that man with strong martial arts skills. After his grandfather returned home after being seriously injured, he talked about Jia Dun's loyalty many times during his lifetime.
"Okay, let's not talk anymore. I'm going to go to the old lady to report this matter immediately." Jia Lian still attaches great importance to the safety of his life.
Although Jia Mu is sometimes a little confused about Baoyu, she still has some knowledge after all.
"Lian'er, you have a good idea. Hurry up and send people to Zhuangzi outside the city to recall those old people who can still fight. Don't save money at this time."
After receiving the answer from the old lady, Jia Lian sent people with money to recruit people in Zhuangzi, where the veterans were housed, outside the city.
As for the Jia clan members among the soldiers, he needed to invite them personally. These tribesmen cannot be treated as family members.
Jia Lian got the roster from the government. When he opened it, he was shocked to see that there were twenty-seven members of the Jia clan among the soldiers. They were all killed in the battle twelve years ago and no one survived.
"These tribesmen are really loyal to the old prince, and I cannot lose my etiquette." Jia Lian's etiquette was sufficient.
"Third Aunt, are there any martial arts disciples at home? The government wants to ask them to help this time."
"Second Master Lian, since the leader died in the battle, I won't let any of my children practice martial arts."
"Fifth Uncle, there are still martial arts disciples at home, and the government will not treat them badly."
"Second Master Lian, please let my nephew go. Ever since my eldest brother died in the war, I can't even live anymore. How can I stop him from being a good person?"
The residences of these tribesmen were close to Rongguo Mansion. Jia Lian visited more than a dozen of them in a long time, but was rejected without exception.
"The government has gone too far." Jia Lian's face sank to death. The families of these soldiers who died in the battle were having a hard time.
From their few words, it can also be seen that Rongguo Mansion is somewhat harsh on their people.
Many people do not receive even half of the annual pension and care that the government should provide as recorded in the roster.
"Some people are so evil that they even dare to take money from orphans and widowed mothers. When my husband was still alive, he loved these soldiers as his own children." When Jia Lian returned home, his anger completely burst out.
Ping'er was trembling on the side, but she knew part of the inside story. She didn't know the past situation, but the subsidies given to the families of soldiers who died in the past two years were really much less.
First of all, the money sent by Wang Xifeng was less than the agreed amount. Lai Da, the housekeeper who is responsible for doing things, will get a little more profit, and the servants who run errands will get some errand fees, and the rest is not even half.
Even an orphan like Jia Hui has not even had a hair on his head during the holidays since his mother passed away. This shows how dark the hearts of some people in the Rongguo Mansion are.
Wang Xifeng's expression was a little uncomfortable, and she was part of the reason for this.
"They are just ungrateful people. If you use money to recruit a group of strong men, you will definitely be better than them." Wang Xifeng still said harshly.
"A woman's opinion," Jia Lian shouted, slamming her hand on the table.
"Those who brought in money are as safe as the children of the clan. Once their lives are in danger, they will probably run faster than a rabbit.
Among my husband's personal soldiers, all twenty-seven members of my Jia family died in the battle, which shows that we are still reliable brothers in our own clan. "
After hearing these words, Wang Xifeng did not dare to say such words anymore. Qiao Ping'er Yingying stepped forward and said, "Second Master, Grandma, why don't we make up for all the subsidies that have been withheld over the years, and give some more. I think we should be able to win back some people's hearts."
Jia Lian sighed, "That's all we have to do for now." Even if Wang Xifeng felt sorry for the money, she would still have to pay.
Sure enough, the money still had an effect. Jia Lian came to the door again, gave generous gifts and spoke sincerely, and finally someone relented.
"Second Master Lian, I have given my eldest son to you, which can be regarded as fulfilling the name of my dead husband's loyalty."
"Third Aunt, please rest assured. I will treat my brothers as my own brothers, and we will live and die together."
Someone took the lead, and Jia Lian also recalled about ten strong young people from the clan one after another. All of them were skilled in martial arts and seemed to be much more reliable than those young men.
In this era, the idea of loyalty is still deeply rooted in the hearts of the family members who have been soldiers of the Rongguo Mansion for generations.
Jia Lian smiled and said to the strongest young man among them, "Brother Cui, who among these brothers has the strongest family martial arts?"
The young man named Jia Cui cupped his hand and said, "To my second brother, we brothers all practice similar martial arts. When it comes to picking up weapons, there is not much difference.
At that time, Uncle Dun was the strongest in martial arts among our fathers. Unfortunately, brother Jia Hui was still young and probably did not receive Uncle Dun's true inheritance. "
Jia Lian nodded slightly. He asked this because he wanted to pick a leader to command for him. Only those with high martial arts skills can convince the crowd.
"Uncle Dun's house is the only one left now, why don't we go and visit it together."
Jia Lian led a group of people to the door of Jia Hui's house. Jia Cui stepped forward and knocked on the courtyard door, "Brother Hui, are you at home?"
Jia Hui, who was practicing marksmanship in the yard, heard a somewhat familiar voice and immediately remembered who it was. He put the gun away on the weapon rack and said, "Is it Brother Cui?"
Jia Cui should be the strongest among the descendants of their generation. Jia Hui usually goes out every day and always says hello when meeting these brothers.
These descendants of soldiers are more harmonious with each other than other brothers because of the friendship between their fathers.
When he was young, with the care of these brothers, Jia Hui was never bullied when he was playing.
Seeing Jia Hui open the courtyard door with a gentle attitude, Jia Cui felt that this little brother was quite good, and his relationship had not weakened because of the lack of getting together in the past two years.
Jia Lian took a closer look at Jia Hui and saw that he had a handsome face and a slender figure. He was still wearing a kung fu training uniform, and he had obviously been practicing just now. It seemed that he had not put down his kung fu over the years.
Jia Cui called Jia Lian over and said with a smile, "This is the second brother Jia Lian, the direct grandson of Rongguo Mansion and the inheritor of the title. Today he is here to summon us, the descendants of the soldiers."
Jia Lian stepped forward and bowed, not showing any indifference because of Jia Hui's young age, "Brother Hui, please be polite to me. In the past two years, there have been some problems with the pension and subsidy in the government.
Today I apologize to my brother and double the subsidy. I hope Brother Hui won’t take offense. "
