The Second Master of the Red Chamber

The next day, Jia Lian arrived at the governor's mansion early in the morning.

After roll call, he would handle government affairs in his administrative study.

Just like when Baochai first took over the business, she needed to understand the business situation in all aspects.

Having just taken over the Beijing Garrison, he naturally needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation of all departments and offices within the garrison.

After so many days, he had basically gotten to know the Beijing garrison.

The Beijing garrison has a large number of troops, with the main force of the North and South camps alone numbering 50,000.

All the other miscellaneous troops added together amounted to seventy to eighty thousand soldiers.

In terms of total troop strength, it was about the same as the Imperial Guard.

As for combat effectiveness...

The Battle of Tiewang Mountain has already proven this.

Although Emperor Ningkang's rebellion during the battle led to a large number of Beijing garrison soldiers defecting to the retired emperor.

But in the end, the decisive battle was fought between the retired emperor's elite cavalry, Emperor Ningkang's personal guards, and the imperial guards.

Of course, there was also the firearms battalion he brought with him at the end.

However, the firearms battalion was also under the command of the Imperial Guards. Fortunately, Emperor Ningkang appointed Princess Zhaoyang as the commander of the Imperial Guards, otherwise Jia Lian might have been a little depressed.

It would be so heartbreaking if the peaches I worked so hard to grow were picked by outsiders.

Therefore, after taking office as the military governor, Jia Lian began to think about how to reform the Beijing garrison and improve its combat effectiveness.

Although Princess Zhaoyang was his woman, he didn't want to be overshadowed by her forever.

Even if we can't catch up in a short time, we can't fall too far behind.

In the end, Jia Lian still felt that the only way to significantly improve the combat effectiveness of the Beijing garrison was through firearms!
With his support and development over the past few years, the firearms of the Great Wei have not only yielded results, but have also been tested on the battlefields of Tiewangshan and Liaodong.

It is indeed effective and feasible; it's not just empty talk.

In that case, it's time to equip the military with them in large quantities.

Since he is currently the military governor of the Beijing garrison, let's start with the Beijing garrison.

To be honest, the Imperial Guards weren't really suited to handling firearms.

Because the Imperial Guards were mostly stationed in the Imperial City, and although the Imperial City was large, its territory was ultimately limited.

Just like when he had to take the firearms battalion outside the city to train his troops.

However, this problem did not exist in the Beijing garrison.

The main force of the Beijing garrison was stationed outside the city.

However, equipping the Beijing garrison with a large number of firearms is still a challenge at present.

In the preceding years, despite the support of Emperor Ningkang, both the Shenji Battalion and the Huoqi Battalion were engaged in the research and development and manufacture of firearms.

However, the production volume was too low.

So far, only the firearms battalion has been satisfied; the rest have been taken to Tianjin Wei by Jia Lian to arm the navy.

Even so, the navy still has a large gap in its strength.

Therefore, the Ministry of Industry had to step in to ensure sufficient production capacity.

Thinking of this, Jia Lian ordered someone to summon the military commander.

In addition to the generals who led troops, the military governor's office also had many subordinate officials who served in the government.

The military commander was one of them.

The military commander was in charge of military deployment and planning, and was considered the most important assistant and military advisor to the military governor.

Generally speaking, the appointment is made by the military governor (Jiedushi) after being nominated and approved by the imperial court.

"Sir, are you looking for me?"

Yin Zhan, the current military commander, entered Jia Lian's study and bowed respectfully.

Jia Lian said, "Send someone to inform the commanders of the North and South Camps to come to the government office for a meeting tomorrow morning."

"Yes."

After answering, Yin Zhan looked at Jia Lian cautiously: "May I ask, sir, is there anything else you require?"

"That's all for now. You may leave."

"Yes. Then I'll take my leave."

Yin Zhan bowed, took a few steps back, and then turned and stepped out the door.

Jia Lian naturally noticed his attitude.

I also understand his caution and humility.

As a staff officer, the military commander did not have a rank.

Like Yin Zhan, his actual rank was Imperial Censor of the Imperial Library, a seventh-rank official.

However, as the military commander of the Jiedushi's office and assistant to the Jiedushi, even the third and fourth-rank generals in the capital garrison had to treat him with some respect.

This is a classic case of someone with a low-ranking official position but great power and status.

But he was ultimately someone left behind by his predecessor.

As the saying goes, "a new emperor brings a new court," so he was naturally worried that if he didn't perform well, Jia Lian would dislike him and replace him.

When Jia Lian first arrived, he naturally examined him.

Seeing how sensible and understanding he was, they naturally didn't bother with the trouble.

Someone else might not be as proficient in the business.

After arranging things at the government office, Jia Lian timed his arrival at the princess's residence.

Yes, I didn't ride in Hu Yuanyao's carriage; I just swaggered over like this.

At this time, Princess Zhaoyang's residence truly lived up to the saying, "The gates were bustling with activity, and carriages and horses were everywhere."

Even before Jia Lian entered the house, he could feel the lively atmosphere inside.

"Jia Lian, what brings you here?"

The Fourth Prince, who had come long ago to celebrate his elder sister's birthday, immediately came to confront Jia Lian upon hearing the servant's report.

Jia Lian cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Your Highness. Today is the Princess's birthday, and I have naturally come to offer my congratulations."

The fourth prince was extremely displeased upon hearing this.

You wouldn't let me get close to Yingchun, but you don't care about the consequences and still dare to come looking for my older sister.

Those around the Fourth Prince, seeing his unfriendly expression, began to gloat.

The love-hate entanglement between Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang was not only a topic of gossip among the common people, but also something that members of the royal family had heard a great deal about.

Originally, it was thought that once Jia Lian's royal identity was revealed, Princess Zhaoyang might be given to the Wei family, and their ill-fated relationship would come to an end.

Who would have thought that Jia Lian would actually dare to come in person to celebrate Princess Zhaoyang's birthday today.

If the Wei family found out, I wonder what they would think.

The Fourth Prince didn't care what the Wei family thought; he was just annoyed that Jia Lian wouldn't let him see Yingchun, so he retaliated by saying:

"Since you've come to celebrate my elder sister's birthday, come this way and don't go any further in."

"There are only women inside. You're such a big, burly guy; you'll scare them if you go in!"

Jia Lian smiled and said, "The Crown Prince is right."

After speaking, he walked to the fourth prince's side and looked around at the people.

They were mostly members of the imperial clan, with only a few outsiders, such as Zhang Su.

Zhang Su has now officially become the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince's Palace, a sure-fire close advisor to the future emperor, with unlimited potential.

After nodding to Zhang Su and other acquaintances, Jia Lian followed the Fourth Prince to the banquet venue.

……

The banquet hosted by the Fourth Prince was simple and crude.

He would give a prize to whoever won in events such as fighting, archery, and pitch-pot.

Several small tables were also placed in the corridor, allowing a group of people who enjoyed poetry and literature to play around with it.

Jia Lian strolled around casually for a bit, then found a place to sit down.

Watching the Fourth Prince, amidst the jeers of others, remove his Crown Prince robes, roll up his sleeves, and go up to fight one-on-one.

He didn't care at all about his princely demeanor.

He even stood on the stage laughing heartily, looking like he was the only one who could do it, after taking down several members of the royal family who were clearly holding back.

Jia Lian couldn't help but smile.

There was a time when Jia Lian had wondered if the Fourth Prince was pretending to be weak while actually being strong; now, thinking back, he realized he had been overthinking it. This guy had clearly been pent up for too long, and today, on his older sister's birthday, he was letting loose.

After a while, Jia Lian felt a little bored.

But after scanning the venue, neither the Prince of Duan nor the Zhou brothers were there.

Clearly, these people have all been punished for choosing the wrong side and have been completely excluded from the circle.

Confirming that no one would provoke him today, Jia Lian asked Aqin to fetch him a pot of wine, which he then slowly drank on the side.

After a while, the fourth prince got tired of playing and came over to sit down next to him. He picked up his wine cup and drank the wine in one gulp without any hesitation.

"Good wine."

The fourth prince smacked his lips and laughed, "Why don't you go play?"

"I'm old, unlike you young people who are so active."

As Jia Lian spoke, he beckoned to a waiter and asked him to bring two more wine cups.

The fourth prince doesn't look down on him, but he looks down on the fourth prince.

It seems that all the etiquette that those ministers taught him was wasted.

The Fourth Prince's expression upon hearing Jia Lian's words was as if he had swallowed a fly.

He said speechlessly, "Are you alright? You're only a few years older than me."

But then he pouted and snorted, "I don't know how you're conceived. Sometimes you say such strange things. No wonder my older sister..."

The fourth prince, who always speaks faster than he thinks, realized something was amiss halfway through his sentence and quickly stopped talking.

Seeing that Jia Lian laughed it off, he suddenly laughed again and said, "Jia Lian, why don't you try to advise me?"

"What advice do you have for Your Highness?"

"I'm telling you to pay attention to your demeanor. After all, it took you and my older sister a lot of effort to get me into this position."

"Haven't I disappointed you all by acting like this?"

Jia Lian looked at the Fourth Prince, then suddenly gestured towards the stage and asked, "Did they try to persuade Your Highness?"

"Pshaw, they wouldn't dare."

They're all fawning over me now, practically calling me their own father.

They were overjoyed that I humbled myself and played with them.

Jia Lian shook his head and smiled, "Actually, I have also thought about advising Your Highness."

But didn't His Highness seem displeased yesterday?

Later, I thought about it and realized that His Highness's frankness was a rare quality.

Moreover, the most important thing in life is to live happily.

Since Your Highness prefers this arrangement, as your subject, I naturally have no choice but to support you.

The Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow, then remembered that Jia Lian had advised him to call himself "I" the "I" the day before, but he had retorted with a single sentence.

Unexpectedly, Jia Lian remembered it.

Suddenly, I felt happy.

You must understand that all those who taught him, including his father, wanted to completely implant their ideas into his mind.

If he doesn't listen, use the moral high ground to pressure him.

It seems that if he didn't do as they told him to, he would be breaking a divine law!
I originally thought that since Jia Lian had gone to so much trouble to put him in this position, he would also have some expectations of him.

His words just now were a test for Jia Lian.

Unexpectedly, Jia Lian still regarded him as a friend, rather than just a tool to help him gain power.

As expected, my sister and I had good judgment. Only someone like Jia Lian is worth befriending and worthy of being his brother.

Jia Lian, of course, did not know that the Fourth Prince's thoughts were so simple. He had no demands on the Fourth Prince because he knew how much power could change a person.

He didn't want to turn a perfectly good child into a power-hungry, inhuman creature.

So why force him to do something?
He genuinely felt that the Fourth Prince was doing quite well as he was.

A short while later, Princess Zhaoyang also came out.

She remained as free-spirited and confident as ever, smiling back at everyone who came up to greet her, without the awkwardness of other women.

She came before Jia Lian and the Fourth Prince.

She glanced at Jia Lian first, then asked the Fourth Prince with a smile, "You said you'd help me entertain guests, is this how you do it?"

The fourth prince, puzzled, glanced at the somewhat chaotic yet beautiful banquet scene and replied, "I think I did a pretty good job hosting them. Why don't you ask them?"

Those around them who overheard this naturally chimed in, saying that the Crown Prince had made very thoughtful arrangements and that they had a great time.

Princess Zhaoyang didn't argue with him, but turned to Jia Lian: "I didn't expect that Duke Rong would be here as well."

Jia Lian cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations on your birthday, Your Highness. I have come uninvited, and I hope Your Highness will not take offense."

"Hehe, not at all. I am extremely grateful that you could take time out of your busy schedule to attend Zhaoyang's birthday celebration."

As Princess Zhaoyang spoke, she took the wine from the servant beside her, first offering a cup to Jia Lian, then raising her cup and looking around at everyone:

"Today is Zhaoyang's birthday, and I am deeply honored that you all have come to celebrate with me."

I offer this wine as a small token of my gratitude.

After saying that, he raised his glass and drank it all.

Upon seeing this, those who were able to get the wine quickly returned the favor.

Those who didn't have time to get the wine could only bow and receive it, showing humility.

Even though many of them were Princess Zhaoyang's cousins.

However, before coming here today, the elders in the family had repeatedly given instructions.

Even if you can't show your face in front of the princess and the crown prince, you must never be impolite or offend them in the slightest.

Princess Zhaoyang smiled, put down her wine cup, told the Fourth Prince to treat her well, and then turned to leave.

Suddenly remembering something, she turned to Jia Lian and said, "By the way, since Lord Rong is here today, I have a few important matters to discuss with you. Please do not hesitate to come and talk to me."

Jia Lian nodded upon hearing this and followed Princess Zhaoyang beside her, heading in the direction she had come from.

The others, seeing this, showed a hint of surprise.

However, upon reflection, Jia Lian, as the military governor of the capital, was responsible for protecting the capital.

Princess Zhaoyang is also a minister in charge of state affairs, so it's possible that the princess sought out Jia Lian to discuss some important matters.

……

As Princess Zhaoyang walked towards the inner courtyard, seeing that there were fewer people around, she turned around and asked, "Second Prince, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

I know you're busy, so I didn't want to bother you.

I was thinking that if I didn't have a chance today, I would come to see you another day.

Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, "I am indeed very busy, but it's not because of my birthday."

I hadn't even thought about this birthday.

Ling'er had said in advance that he would come to celebrate my birthday, so I thought, since I haven't seen many of my childhood friends for a long time, why not take this opportunity to invite them over for a chat?

But I only invited them.

The people outside were either brought by Ling'er or came uninvited after hearing the news.

Since they're already here, I can't very well turn them away.

I had no choice but to have Ling'er greet them outside for me.

Jia Lian understood.

He said that the banquet outside today didn't look like it had been carefully prepared at all.

As for the many members of the imperial clan coming uninvited, Jia Lian was not surprised at all.

Princess Zhaoyang already held a deputy position in the Imperial Clan Court, and now she has become the Minister of State Affairs and the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards.

Their power was so great that even members of the royal family couldn't help but try to curry favor with them.

Not to mention, there's also the fourth prince, the crown prince.

In the current situation, anyone with a sound mind would try to curry favor with the siblings.

As they approached the inner main hall, they indeed found that the decorations here were much more exquisite.

Flowers were everywhere, both in front of the corridor and outside the steps, making the area around the main hall resemble a Taoist fairyland.

At this moment, faint sounds of warbling birds and chirping birds could be heard from inside the main hall.

He was very familiar with that sound; he could hear it from a great distance when the sisters gathered in the Grand View Garden. (End of Chapter)