Hearing his mother's words, Xue Baochai was speechless for a while.
My brother has been spoiled since he was a child. He is proficient in eating, drinking and having fun. He is too playful and doesn't pay much attention to serious matters.
Brother Cong is different. He starts his own business and works hard on his own. Although he is rich, he is very self-disciplined and does not have those messy problems.
Xue Baochai said: "Among the people I know, there is really no one who can compare with Brother Cong. He is capable, rich, meticulous, ruthless, and never goes out to fool around.
No matter what such people do, they are almost always unsuccessful. "
Aunt Xue doesn't know why, but she likes Brother Cong's child very much when she sees him. Maybe it's because of eye connection, or maybe it's because the child talks interestingly.
Seeing that my daughter admires Brother Cong so much, I feel the same way.
Thinking of Brother Cong, who provoked his daughter several times intentionally or unintentionally, I couldn't help but wonder, does Brother Cong like his daughter Baochai?
"Daughter, why do I feel that Brother Cong likes you? Have you noticed it?"
Xue Baochai glanced at her mother, thinking of every little moment she had spent with Brother Cong, of the boy teasing her in a glib tone, and revealing his admiration for her both inside and outside his words.
I couldn't help but sigh in my heart, this man's situation was really bizarre. At that time, I didn't like Jia Cong at all. Although he had some abilities, he was just a bastard with a little money.
Besides, I have already signed up for selection, so how can I take him to heart? In my eyes, he is just a little kid.
It was just a twist of fate that in just a few months, he suddenly transformed into a third-grade general, one of the most powerful people in the capital.
"Mom, Brother Cong is indeed interested in me. He told me half-jokingly and half-formally, but I rejected them both explicitly or covertly. I have already signed up to be selected."
Aunt Xue sighed after hearing this and said: "Hey! It's Brother Cong who is so unlucky. If you had your current status before you signed up, it would be a good choice to follow him."
"Mom, stop saying that you have these things and don't have them. If people hear you, it will only make people laugh."
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "That's all, let's not talk anymore. I hope you can find a good home in the future. That way I will feel relieved."
······
Early the next morning, Jia Cong had breakfast.
He brought four maids, Yuanyang, Xiren, Qingwen and Xiangling.
As well as the four guards Chunlan, Xia Zhu, Qiu Ju and Dongmei, they went to Linhe Villa outside the city.
There were four carriages accompanying him, one for Yuanyang and others to ride on, and the other three were filled with accompanying supplies.
Jia Cong was riding a newly acquired maroon war horse, carrying a black knife at his waist, and wearing a dark green tight-fitting outfit, walking in front of the team.
Qingwen wore a red warrior uniform, carried a sword at her waist, and rode a dazzling black horse, riding alongside Jia Cong.
Four people, Chunlan, Xiazhu, Qiuju and Dongmei, also rode behind them.
Behind the carriage, there was a group of servant guards, also riding horses, following the carriage to protect them.
The team marched out of the south gate of Shenjing City and headed straight for Linhe Villa.
The journey of thirty miles is neither far nor close, but the road conditions during this period are much better than before.
Last winter, Jia Cong saw that everyone in Zhuangzi was idle.
I asked Liu Quan, the leader of the village, to summon those who were willing to work in the villa and repair the thirty miles of road connecting the villa to the official road.
After the repairs were completed, the official road leading to Shenjing City was repaired again, all the way to the city gate.
This move surprised the officers and soldiers guarding the city. They sent someone down to ask, and found out that it was the young master of the Jia family. He thought the road to Zhuangzi was too difficult, so he had it rebuilt.
Building roads is a good thing that benefits the people. Naturally, no one will say anything, but they will praise it even more.
It used to take an hour to walk, but now it only takes less than half an hour to reach the villa.
Wangcai led people to welcome him out, "Third Master, you are back."
"Well, I'm back. Is everything okay here at Zhuangzi?"
"Reporting to Third Master, everything is normal in Zhuangzi here. The workshops everywhere are running well, and the glass-making workshops have made some progress."
"Wangcai, please gather some of the main people in charge. We will have a meeting at noon to talk about some things. I will go to my master first."
"Yes, Third Master, I'm going to gather people right now."
Jia Cong nodded and asked Qingwen to take Yuanyang, Xiren, Xiangling and others to settle down in the backyard first.
I came to the small courtyard at the foot of the mountain alone and saw my master Zhang Moyan sitting alone on the stone table under the sycamore tree drinking tea.
"Disciple pays homage to master."
Zhang Moyan raised his head and glanced at Jia Cong, waved his hand and said: "There is no need to be polite between our master and disciples. You will be here for a long time this time. Could it be that something else happened?"
Jia Cong stood up, sat down opposite the master, and filled the master's cup with tea.
Then he said: "Master has a sharp eye and can see thousands of miles away. Something did happen when I went back this time, but it is all good for me. I have now taken over Ningguo Mansion and become the master of Ningguo Mansion."
Zhang Moyan asked doubtfully: "Isn't Ningguo Mansion owned by Jia Zhen? Did something happen to him?"
Jia Cong nodded and briefly explained the general process of the matter to Zhang Moyan.
Zhang Moyan shook his head and said with a smile: "You are really lucky. You are only ten years old and you have reached a height that others cannot reach in their lifetime. Now you have a big family fortune and a title, and you still have to continue to practice hard." ?"
Jia Cong smiled and said: "Master, don't worry, my original intention of practicing martial arts will not change. I really don't pay attention to a mere third-grade general. My goal is to be a super-grade general. At least I must become a marquis." "
Zhang Moyan said: "It's rare for you to have such ambition. You have been practicing martial arts with my master for more than a year. I think you are almost ready to forge your bones. Work harder.
When you are finished forging your bones, I will teach you what I have learned all my life. In addition, I will teach you the lifting technique of my Wudang sect. I think your speed will be faster than ordinary people. If you learn the lifting technique again, , will definitely make you even more powerful. "
Jia Cong stood up and bowed: "Thank you, master. I will work harder to reach the bone forging mastery as soon as possible. I will go back at noon to arrange some things, and I will start practicing in the afternoon."
Seeing his master Zhang Moyan nodding in acquiescence, Jia Cong turned around and left.
Looking at Jia Cong's leaving figure, Zhang Moyan sighed in his heart.
I was originally here to deal with Jia She, but I planned to teach him some kung fu and left.
Unexpectedly, I met a martial arts genius. Not only did he learn quickly, but his understanding was also extremely high. He also worked very hard. He was truly a perfect disciple.
Then he changed his mind, taught Jia Cong carefully, and planned to teach Jia Cong everything he could, as his personal disciple, and pass on his legacy.
Although this child was born in the Duke's palace, he does not have any arrogance or extravagance, which is very rare.
He also has a good way of making money and is ingenious, and he has tinkered with many novel things.
Now that he has inherited the Ningguo Mansion and has a prominent status, this is like a duck in water for him.
When Jia Cong arrived at the front hall, everyone was already there.
Seeing Jia Cong come in, they all stood up and saluted: "I've met the third master."
Jia Cong glanced at everyone, waved his hand and said: "No need to be polite, everyone, please sit down. I am calling everyone here mainly to announce something.
I have successfully taken over Ningguo Mansion and become the owner of Ningguo Mansion and the patriarch of the Jia family. From now on, everyone will be from Ningguo Mansion. "
When everyone heard this, they were immediately overjoyed.
The status of following a concubine of a Duke's mansion is completely different from that of following the master of Ningguo mansion.
They all congratulated together: "Congratulations to the third master, congratulations to the third master."
Jia Cong said with a smile: "I'm glad that my status has become higher, and so has your status."
Wangcai asked with some confusion: "Third Master, isn't Uncle Zhen in charge of the Ning Mansion? Why would he let you take over?"
Jia Cong said: "Brother Zhen and Brother Rong had a drunken argument. During the fight, they accidentally fell off the Tianxiang Tower and left like that. Since there was no male son in Dongfu, they adopted me to Dongfu to inherit the incense. That’s basically the situation.”
Everyone was very sad when they heard this, and they all lamented Jia Cong's fate.
Wangcai said: "The third master is so lucky to have such a good thing happen to him."
Jia Cong smiled and said: "Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about the establishment of the caravan. He, the caravan steward invited from the Xue family, will be the leader. I will find a steward from home to follow. We will bring prosperity. You will also become familiar with it."
Wangcai said: "Third Master, it's okay for me to go to the caravan. Who should I leave my affairs to now?"
Jia Cong said: "You don't need to pay for the time being. I let you follow the caravan. The main thing is to let you learn something and pay more attention to the prices in various places. When I join the army, I will take you with me and let you help." I manage munitions logistics.
"The Point Guard Is Here"
The villa will become our production base and a transfer station for caravans in the future, and will be all managed by Liu Quan in the future. After this period of inspection, Liu Quan's ability is still acceptable. "
Liu Quan, the head of the village, stood up excitedly and said, "Thank you, Third Master, for your appreciation. I will definitely show the Villa to Third Master, and there won't be any mistakes."
Jia Cong waved his hand for him to sit down and continued: "There are more and more workshops in the villa, and the scale is getting bigger and bigger. Defense will be a big problem in the future, and there must be at least a hundred people's defense force.
I will take all the people I am training now with me when the time comes. You will then select some militiamen to make up one hundred, and let Master Zhang help you train for three months. After we leave, they will guard the safety of the villa. "
Liu Quandao: "Don't worry, Third Master. I will select people later and hand them over to Master Zhang."
Zhang Dakui said: "Don't worry, Third Master, I will definitely train them well. It will be enough to protect Zhuangzi in three months."
Jia Cong smiled and said: "Then let Master Zhang worry more. By the way, Master Zhang, I have three choices for your arrangement.
One is to join the army with me and help me lead the personal guards; the other is to stay in the village and lead the militia to guard the villa; the third is to go to Ningguo Mansion to serve as the guard leader. You can choose according to your situation. "
Zhang Dakui thought for a while and said: "Third Master, if you don't mind my old age, I am willing to follow Third Master into the army. I feel that my current condition is no worse than that of ordinary elite soldiers, or even better."
Jia Cong nodded and said: "Okay, I respect Master Zhang's choice. With you by my side, I feel more at ease. Master Zhang, please give them an extra class in the evening. Tell them about the things on the battlefield and some Battle examples, and even talk about the art of war.”
Zhang Dakui said: "Third Master, isn't it a little early for you to join the army at your age?"
Jia Cong smiled and said: "If I don't go now, it will be a year at the earliest. I plan to go to Liaodong next year, or the year after next at the latest. It can't be any later. Then I will bring the caravan there with me to do some border trade business."
He turned to He Cheng and said, "Manager He, please tell us about the caravan. Tell us about the caravan route you know, as well as the checkpoints and fees on the road."
He Cheng cupped his hands and said: "Yes, Third Master, the most profitable trade route is to sell tea, ceramics, and silk from the south to the grassland, and then transport the horses, cattle, sheep, furs, etc. from the grassland to the south. You can earn several times the profit in one trip.
It's just that this trade route is more dangerous, and there are more checkpoints on this road. Some are government checkpoints, some are garrison checkpoints, and some are bandit and bandit checkpoints.
If you are lucky, the checkpoint fees along this route will account for between 20% and 30%. If you are unlucky, even the people and goods will be robbed. Because the profit is too large, although it is known that something happened to the caravan, there are still countless caravans. Venture out. "
This is understandable. People die for money and birds die for food.
After all, there are at least five or six times the profit. As long as nothing happens, you will make a fortune.
These bandits charge tolls and occasionally rob goods directly. They must all be extremely rich.
It's just that these people acted like this. It's hard to believe that no one supported Jia Cong behind the scenes.
Either they are colluding with local officials, or they are involved with local wealthy gentry, otherwise they would have been wiped out long ago.
If you want to take this trade route, you must ensure the safety of people and goods.
Even if they use the banner of the Jia family caravan, how many people will know about the Jia family outside the sacred city?
Even if you know the Jia family, you have to decide whether you can give them face or not.
After all, the Jia family now has almost no status in the court. Only the second uncle serves as a fifth-rank Yuanwai Lang in the Ministry of Industry.
As far as the trade routes that Jia Cong learned about, one led to Xuanhua, from Xuanhua to the grassland, and traded with the original Mongols.
One is through Shanhaiguan, along the Liaoxi Corridor, passing through Suizhong, Ningyuan, Jinzhou, and entering Liaodong. Further to the northeast is the Jurchen tribe, which is now called the Eastern Barbarians, Tubarbarians, and Barbarians.
Going west from Ningyuan is Jianchang, which already belongs to the grassland people of the Mongolian tribe and was originally the territory of Duoyan Sanwei.
If you go to Liaodong to join the army, it would be better to go to Shanhaiguan.
It shouldn't be a big problem for the military to come forward on their own at the checkpoints, and it won't be a big problem for the checkpoints in those places. They don't dare to openly rob goods, and they can only collect some tolls.
It's hard to deal with those bandits, they need to be dealt with by themselves.
When the special forces team comes back and the training is completed, let them go north after the New Year to explore the road first and learn the details of the various checkpoints along the way.
Then I figured out all the bandit checkpoints along the way.
When the time comes, send someone to discuss with them and try to reach an agreement. If you really don't want to lose face, you can only find a way to make them disappear.
