Shenjing City, the Royal Study Room of the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Longqing closed the memorial in his hand, rubbed his eyebrows, and sighed slightly.
The situation in Shaanxi became increasingly chaotic and gradually escaped the control of the imperial court. This made Emperor Longqing a little angry and confused.
The disaster relief plan was obviously started in advance, and a large amount of food was shipped to the disaster areas in Shaanxi, but the situation still reached this point.
Money was spent and things were done, but to no avail, which puzzled Emperor Longqing.
How did that happen?
Emperor Longqing was extremely depressed and felt powerless.
Suddenly I remembered what Jia Cong said last time. The actual relief food that can reach the hands of the victims is not even 30%, or even less. All of them were corrupted by corrupt officials, and they even teamed up with unscrupulous businessmen to resell food, drive up food prices, and make profits from it.
He knew that Jia Cong would not let anything go. Could it be that court officials were really corrupt to this extent?
Thinking of this result, Emperor Longqing felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
In the past few years, the Supreme Emperor had hindered him from completely controlling the court, and he was unable to change the situation in the court.
Now that the Supreme Emperor is slowly delegating power, such a mess has appeared again. Even if he wants to rectify it, there is no time now. He has to clean up this mess first.
Emperor Longqing leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes slightly, and kept thinking about countermeasures.
Dai Quan stood below and felt a little worried when he saw Emperor Longqing's appearance.
As a close eunuch of Emperor Longqing, in charge of most of the palace, he knew Emperor Longqing's physical condition better than anyone else.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have found a way out for himself in advance and hugged Jia Cong's thigh.
"Master, are you okay? Why don't you go back and take a rest first?"
Emperor Long Qing did not open his eyes, but just waved his hands and said: "It doesn't matter, just take a rest. Dai Quan, that bastard Jia Cong has disappeared for two months, is there any news about him now?"
Dai Quan cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to my master, I have just received a report from below. It is said that Duke Ning returned to the mouth of the Yangtze River three days ago and is now returning by boat. If he does not go to other places, he will probably be able to return to Beijing soon. .”
Emperor Longqing let out a long breath and said, "I thought this bastard ran away. It would be great if he could come back. The country is in a difficult situation now, and I feel like there is no one available to me. Hey!"
Dai Quan hesitated for a moment, then bravely said: "Master, seeing that you are taking so much trouble, I feel the same way. Master, you should take more care of yourself.
Ning Guo Gong and his master have always been close. He is capable and loyal to his master. Why doesn't his master put Ning Guo Gong in high regard? With him taking action, the chaos in Shaanxi can be quelled with a snap of the finger, and even Liaodong can probably be recovered quickly. "
When Emperor Longqing heard this, his eyes narrowed, he looked at Dai Quan, and said with an unkind expression: "Why, that boy Jia Cong bribed you and asked you to put in a good word for him? Does he really want to control the military?"
When Dai Quan heard this, he was so frightened that he knelt down with a plop.
"Master is aware that the old slave has nothing to do with Ning Guogong. In other words, he gave the old slave some festive gifts during the holidays without any request from the old slave. The old slave made this suggestion all for the sake of the master. He didn't want to see it. I feel that the master is in trouble, and I don’t want him to be in bad health. This old slave’s sincere heart can be a lesson to the world.”
When Emperor Longqing heard what he said, the concern in his words was beyond words, so he gave up.
"Okay, get up."
"Thank you, Master."
Dai Quan got up and wiped the cold sweat from his head. He secretly regretted that he shouldn't have spoken to Jia Cong so directly.
The master above was a suspicious winner by nature. It was really inappropriate for him to make such a mistake.
In this case, I'm afraid it will be counterproductive, let alone Jia Cong.
While he was thinking about it, he heard Emperor Longqing say: "Although Jia Cong is the most suitable candidate, with both ability and loyalty, he is too young and too capable. If he is not restrained, who will be able to control him in the future?" .
Therefore, as long as there is
I don't want to use him anymore because of other people's choices. This is also to protect him, and also to leave him to future generations. I hope he can understand my painstaking efforts! "
······
On this day, a three-story ship docked at Tongzhou Pier.
Whooping, two hundred soldiers got off the ship and dispersed the idle people on the dock.
Then, they stood in two rows, one on the left and one on the right, standing quietly on both sides of the building boat.
Jia Cong led his horse off the boat, followed by carriages, more than twenty in total, getting off the boat one after another and heading towards the capital along the road.
It wasn't until the vehicle passed by that two hundred soldiers followed.
The huge team gradually left the dock and disappeared from everyone's sight.
"Who is that? What a grand display."
"You are too ignorant. You don't even know the famous Ning Guogong. The one at the front is Ning Guogong."
"It turns out to be Mr. Ning Guo. I wonder where he has gone?"
"I don't know. How can we commoners know about the big shot's affairs?"
"Actually, this is not a secret. I heard that Duke Ning Guo went on a trip with his family. He must have returned from his trip."
······
Jia Cong's team slowly moved from the east of the city to the west of the city.
The news of Ning Guogong's return spread quickly to all directions, throughout the entire Shenjing City, and that King Jia Yan was back again.
The news also spread to Rongguo Mansion and reached the ears of the old lady and others.
"Old lady, I heard that Duke Ning Guo is back. He has entered the city and will be home soon."
When Jia Mu heard this, her face lit up with joy. This grandson still listened to her words and came back so soon after receiving her news.
"Okay, okay, it'll be good to come back, it'll be good to come back. Brother Cong and the others have been gone for three months now. I miss them a little. I wonder how those girls are doing?"
Aunt Xue smiled and said, "No, baby girl has never left my side. Now that she is no longer around, I miss her very much. Now that she is back, I feel relieved."
Mother Jia smiled and said, "If you go out with Brother Cong, what should you worry about? This child is the safest and most reassuring in doing things. I'm not worried, I just miss them a little."
Wang Xifeng said: "Brother Cong is very capable, we all know that, and the family is not stable during this period. Now that he is back, we don't have to worry anymore. Let's see who dares to cause us trouble again."
Jia Mu said, "Well, that bastard from the Zhou family, relying on Concubine Zhou's power, actually hired someone to hurt Baoyu. We can't do anything about him. Brother Cong is back, and there are plenty of ways to deal with them. Let's see how arrogant they are."
When Li Wan heard that Jia Cong was back, he remembered the dream that day for no reason, and his body couldn't help but tremble slightly.
My heart was even more complicated and inexplicable, and I actually longed to see Jia Cong soon.
This thought startled Li Wan, and he quickly calmed down, secretly feeling guilty.
Jia Cong's team quickly entered Ningrong Street and stopped in front of Ningguo Mansion.
The gate of Ningguo Mansion was wide open, and Zhang Fu led a group of stewards and servants to wait respectfully outside the gate.
"This old slave pays homage to the Duke of the State and welcomes him back to his home."
"We sincerely welcome the Duke back home."
Jia Cong got off his horse, glanced at everyone, waved his hand and said, "No need to be polite, everyone, please get up."
"Thank you, Mr. Guo."
Everyone then stood up and stood quietly on both sides of the door, waiting for Jia Cong to enter.
Jia Cong handed the reins to Chunlan and walked into Ningguo Mansion.
Afterwards, carriages drove into Ningguo Mansion, passed through the second gate, and entered the inner courtyard directly.
Youshi stood at the door. When she saw Jia Cong and others, she quickly came forward to greet them.
He said with a face of joy: "Brother Cong, are you back?"
Jia Cong smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, we are back. You have worked hard these days."
Youshi smiled and said: "It's good to come back, it's good to come back. Things at home are not hard to say. You are not at home these days. My sister-in-law is really not used to it."
At this time, two beautiful figures flashed out from behind You, looking at Jia Cong with a look of resentment. It was Second Sister You and Third Sister You.
Jia Cong was slightly stunned, and couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart. He didn't expect that the two sisters were also there.
Looking at their expressions, they must be complaining that they were not brought with them.
These two people have expressed their feelings to themselves a long time ago, but he has never made a move on them. It makes sense that they have emotions in their hearts.
Jia Cong glanced at the two of them and said with a smile: "Second sister and third sister are here too? They are really getting more and more beautiful. I have come back with a lot of gifts this time. You can go and get one later." Bar."
Third Sister You said with a "humph": "Master Guo, if you don't take our sisters with you when you go out to play, are you looking down on us?"
Jia Cong smiled and said, "Third sister, you are too worried. Firstly, you were not here at the time, and secondly, I am afraid that it will affect your reputation. After all, you are all grown girls, and there will be many opportunities in the future."
Second Sister You pulled Third Sister You, stepped forward and said, "The slave family has met the Duke of Guo. Please don't be angry, Duke of Guo. Third Sister has such a personality and talks to my mother in the same way."
Jia Cong said: "Well, I know her temper. I'm not angry. Let's go to the house first."
Youshi smiled and said, "I was bored at home alone, so I called my second sister and third sister over to keep me company. Don't talk here anymore. Go back first. Those girls have all gotten off the bus."
Jia Cong looked around and saw that Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai and others also got off the carriage and were looking this way.
Youshi took the lead and said, "You are finally back. How are you enjoying yourself?"
Lin Daiyu smiled and said: "Sister-in-law, it's very good. It's hard for you to stay at home alone to look after the house. Come with us next time."
Youshi smiled and said, "That's good. I've never traveled far in my life. I'm going to take advantage of Sister Lin in the future."
At this time, everyone also came up to see the ceremony, and after greeting each other for a while, they came to the lobby.
The noise here will soon reach the old lady's ears. Someone should be calling soon, so it's better to go there in advance.
Thinking of this, Jia Cong said: "Everyone, drink some water and take a break. Let's go and greet the old lady first. The old lady should know that we are back. If we are late, someone will probably come to call us."
Hearing this, Lin Daiyu stood up and said, "Then let's go now. Don't wait for the old lady to call us. It's the same as going to the old lady's place to rest. We haven't seen each other for so long. The old lady must have missed us."
Yingchun said: "That's the truth, then let's go and pay our respects to the old lady first."
Everyone nodded in agreement and stood up one after another.
Xue Baochai said: "Since I'm going to pay my respects to the old lady, let's take the gifts for the old lady with us and make her happy."
Jia Cong nodded and said: "Then take the gifts for the old lady over first. As for the gifts for other people, you can give them slowly later. We will go there first, and the rest of you can do whatever you want. If you are tired, you can go and rest. .”
Lin Daiyu said: "This is good. Let's go, Zijuan. You and Ping's second sister will bring the gifts for the old lady."
Yuanyang said, "I'll also go and say hello to the old lady."
Jia Cong, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, Shi Xiangyun, Sanchun sisters, and You passed through the Grand View Garden first and headed to Jia Mu's yard.
Ping'er, Yuanyang, Zijuan, Ying'er and other maids also followed over with gifts chosen by their respective masters.
As soon as they entered Jia Mu's yard, the little girls shouted: "The Duke is back, the girls are back."
After shouting, he came to Jia Cong to greet him.
"My servants send greetings to the Duke of the State and to the girls. I wish the Duke of the State good luck in his official career and prosperity in wealth."
All of Jia Mu's girls have a sharp look in their eyes, and they also speak appropriately, which makes people feel comfortable listening to them.
Jia Cong laughed and said, "Everyone, get up."
He touched his pockets and found nothing. He usually didn't carry gold or silver items. Li Biao and Qingwen usually carried them for him. He only had some silver notes with him.
Just when he was hesitating whether to give them a banknote, Yuanyang came up from behind.
"My lord, I don't have the habit of bringing any money with you, so come to me to receive your reward."
As he spoke, he took out a money bag, grabbed a handful from it, one or two each with auspicious silver ingots, and distributed them to the group of little girls.
The little girls accepted the money and said happily: "Thank you, Mr. Guo, and thank you, Sister Yuanyang."
At this time, Amber opened the door curtain and walked out of the house.
He smiled at everyone and said, "My lord, girls, the old lady has been waiting for you for a long time. Come in quickly."
Jia Cong nodded and walked into the room first, followed by others.
There were quite a lot of people in the room. When they heard that Jia Cong was back, everyone who was supposed to be there came. Aunt Xue, Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang, Li Wan, and Sister Feng were all there.
Jia Cong looked around, nodded to everyone, and then quickly walked towards Jia Mu who was directly in front of him.
After not seeing each other for three months, Jia Mu was still the same. There was even a trace of moisture in her eyes when she looked at Jia Cong.
Jia Cong came closer and bowed: "My grandson, I want to say hello to the old lady. I haven't seen you for a long time. How is the old lady?"
At this time, sisters Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, Shi Xiangyun, and Sanchun also saluted together: "Granddaughter, please give my regards to the old lady. We are all back."
Mother Jia looked at the grandchildren in front of her and said happily: "Okay, okay, just come back. I haven't seen you for a while. I miss you a little. Come here quickly and let me take a good look."
