The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Seeing Xie Jing take the initiative to speak, Jia Lian also smiled and said, "Uncle Xie is currently enjoying a prosperous official career and is in the prime of his life. He will surely rise to the highest position in the future, and his future is limitless."

For high-ranking officials, fifty years old is considered the prime of life.

Even those with low-ranking official positions, approaching forty, have lived a rather uneventful life.

"Not at all, I really need your guidance, my dear nephew..."

Xie Jing was unusually a little embarrassed.

Deep down, he was very satisfied with his current official rank.

Because it has already reached the level he had previously envisioned.

However, his achievements were clearly insignificant compared to Jia Lian's, so he inevitably felt guilty when Jia Lian "praised" him.

When Jia Lian heard Xie Jing mention the word "promotion," he knew that Xie Jing knew about his appointment as the military governor of the capital garrison.

Without dwelling on the issue, Jia Lian continued chatting with the others at the main table.

Those in the hall originally thought that Jia Lian would tell them about what happened in the palace yesterday, or simply announce his appointment.

Unexpectedly, after Jia Lian sat down, he simply chatted with the others one by one.

Although inquiries were made about the situation of the various units of the Beijing Garrison, they were only briefly discussed.

It seems that he really was just bored today and called them over to chat.

Soon, some people couldn't hold back any longer.

Taking the opportunity of offering a toast, he asked Jia Lian, "May I ask about Lord Rong?"
"I have heard that His Majesty intends to appoint Rong Gong as the Military Governor of the Capital Garrison. Is this true?"

Jia Lian put down his wine cup and slowly asked, "Where did you hear that from?"

"This is something I heard from people in the court."

Although everyone present was an official appointed by the imperial court.

However, in a narrow sense, "people in the court" specifically refers to the high-ranking officials in the central government, namely those who regularly attend court to listen to government affairs.

Although those present held high official positions, they generally did not attend court.

Jia Lian had only asked the question casually, just to make a connection.

Upon hearing this, he nodded and replied, "His Majesty does indeed have this intention, and the decree was officially issued yesterday."

I believe the imperial document will arrive at the military governor's office soon.

To everyone's surprise, Jia Lian actually admitted it.

Even more surprisingly, this wasn't just a rumor, but a fact.

In other words, Jia Lian is now the military governor, the boss of all of them?
Leaving everyone only a moment to be stunned, Shi Ding pushed aside the stool behind him, stood up, and congratulated them:
"Congratulations to Duke Rong on your appointment as the Military Governor of the Capital Garrison!"

Almost simultaneously, Pei Fengnian, the deputy commander of the Beida Camp, and Fan Jin and others who had a close relationship with Jia Lian also stood up and solemnly bowed, saying, "We congratulate Duke Rong on his appointment as the military governor of the capital garrison!"

"We congratulate Duke Rong on his appointment as the Military Governor of the Capital Garrison!"

Although some people were jealous when they heard about it.

However, when Jia Lian admitted it himself, everyone immediately expressed their opinions in his presence.

While it cannot be called loyalty, at least on the surface, no one dared to challenge its might.

Thus, Jia Lian was left alone in the hall, sitting at the head of the table.

Only after they finished speaking did Jia Lian look at the group of high-ranking generals bowing and clasping their hands in front of him, and waved his hand with a smile, saying:
"What are you doing? We agreed that today was just for exchanging feelings."

"Everyone, please sit down. There's no need for that."

"Thank you, Lord Rong! Thank you, Military Governor!"

Jia Lian chuckled and suddenly added, "In fact, His Majesty not only appointed me as a military governor, but also specially decreed that Princess Chang be appointed as the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards, in charge of 100,000 Imperial Guards."

I understand that His Majesty intends for the two of us to assist the Fourth Prince properly.

Unfortunately, although I have a heart to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country, my qualifications are too shallow.

If I were to rashly assume such a high position, I fear that many of my generals would be dissatisfied.

If it were just me, Jia Lian, who was dissatisfied, that would be one thing. But for His Majesty's sake, and to be able to assist the Fourth Prince, it is nothing for me to suffer a little grievance.

I fear that my abilities are insufficient and I will be unable to take control of the capital garrison and fulfill His Majesty's important trust.

This causes me great concern.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

This is all because Jia Lian's few words revealed too much information.

First of all, the eldest princess became the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Guards?
For decades, the various battalions of the Imperial Guards have been independent of each other, but now they finally have a supreme commander?
Or will the eldest princess take on the role?
Although it was surprising, it wasn't hard to understand upon reflection.

If the rumors are true, and Prince Yun was deposed for treason, then the position of Crown Prince will naturally belong to the Fourth Prince.

The fourth prince's foundation is weak, and His Majesty fears that he will be unable to control the court officials in the future, so he naturally has to find someone he can rely on in advance.

In retrospect, Jia Lian was one, and the Eldest Princess was another.

Furthermore, the eldest princess was even more important than Jia Lian.

After all, the Imperial Guards were superior to the Capital Garrison in both combat effectiveness and the importance of their positions.

Uh... why even think about this?
Damn it, who doesn't know that the Eldest Princess and the Duke of Rongguo have an affair? There are no fewer than a hundred derivative stories and tales about their relationship among the common people!
By doing this, Your Majesty is essentially handing over most of the military power inside and outside the capital to this couple.

Is this even possible?

Before we could even criticize Emperor Ningkang's bizarre move, Jia Lian's other message could easily be interpreted as a threat.

He said that his appointment as military governor was part of Emperor Ningkang's scheme to secure the throne for the fourth prince.

If anyone does not support him and dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy him, wouldn't that be tantamount to sabotaging Emperor Ningkang's plans and opposing the Fourth Prince?
Opposing the Fourth Prince is opposing the future Emperor!
Once this huge label is slapped on someone's head, who can withstand it?

Some smart people know that calling it a threat is giving them too much credit.

Rong Gong's meaning was very clear: he was entrusted by Emperor Ningkang to protect the fourth prince together with Princess Zhaoyang.

The majority of the troops in the capital were in their hands.

The consequences of disobeying are obvious.

If you're wondering, is there no one who can control Jia Lian?

Yes, Emperor Ningkang and the Fourth Prince.

Unfortunately, both of them were someone else's backers...

Then he suddenly awoke with a start.

Yes, the Third Prince's faction and the Fourth Prince's faction were vying for power before.

Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as a "Fourth Prince Party".

The so-called "Fourth Prince Party" consisted mostly of supporters that Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang had gathered in a short period of time.

The remaining group was merely opportunistic gamblers who joined the race to guess Emperor Ningkang's intentions, seeing that he was delaying in appointing the third prince as crown prince.

Therefore, the Fourth Prince's party should be called the Jia Lian party.

Now that the Fourth Prince's faction has won a great victory, Jia Lian has naturally become the most powerful person.

Thus, whether in terms of strength (military power) or righteousness (the emperor's favor), Jia Lian undoubtedly stood at the pinnacle.

In this situation, would anyone really be foolish enough to dare to oppose Jia Lian?
Even Xie Jing, who had previously been carefree and thought it didn't matter whether Jia Lian took office or not, suddenly took it seriously.

Shi Ding, Pei Fengnian, Fan Jin, and others who had long sided with Jia Lian exchanged glances, then simultaneously withdrew from their seats and knelt down in the aisle.
"We, your humble servants, are willing to serve you, Governor, to the death."

"I would go through fire and water without hesitation."

Their solemn statement immediately made others uneasy.

Some people hurriedly followed suit, afraid of being too slow in kneeling.

Some people subconsciously looked at Xie Jing and the commander of the Beida Camp.

Although the Beijing garrison had many battalions, its main force was undoubtedly the North and South Battalions.

The commanders of the North and South Camps naturally held the highest positions and wielded the most military power.

The two exchanged a glance, and Xie Jing stepped forward first.

As a result, all twenty-odd senior generals of the Beijing Garrison knelt in the aisle, forming two straight lines that symbolized power.

"We, your humble servants, are willing to serve you, Governor, to the death."

"I would go through fire and water without hesitation."

The loud and impassioned voice echoed in the hall, and Jia Lian seemed to be stunned by this resounding echo of power.

It took him a long time to realize what was happening, and he quickly got up to help Xie Jing and the others.

"What are you doing, gentlemen? Please rise."

He offered token assistance to a few people, but Jia Lian didn't bother with the rest.

He turned and sat down, smiling, "Although I hold the position of military governor, we are still ministers in the same palace, and we should help each other. In the future, let's not engage in these empty formalities."

"Yes, I will obey the command of the military governor."

"I am newly appointed and do not yet fully understand the situation of each battalion, so I will not issue any orders for now."

However, in order for me to familiarize myself with the situation in the army as soon as possible, all of you must personally come to the military governor's office to report to me at the beginning and middle of the month.

Is this request reasonable?

"I will obey Your Excellency's orders."

Although the military governor's office did not have this rule before, they were summoned whenever there was an emergency.

But as the saying goes, a new emperor brings a new court.

Each dynasty had its own rules.

Jia Lian has been appointed to the new position of military governor, and it seems he will likely remain in this position for a very long time.

It's only natural for him to establish some of his own rules.

Moreover, the requirement to clock in twice a month is hardly even a requirement.

If this happens every day, then they'll have something to say.

They're all used to being bosses in their own territories; who would want to go back to that backbreaking, clock-in-time life? (End of Chapter)