The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Before Yun Guang and Tao Ran broke camp and retreated, Jia Lian had already set out north.

We traveled light all the way and soon arrived at Juyong Pass.

Feng Sheng, who had taken over the defense of Juyongguan at this time, learned the purpose of Jia Lian's visit and came out to greet him in person.

After just a few pleasantries, he was eager to ask about the movements of Tao Ran and Yun Guang's troops. Feng Sheng was naturally overjoyed to learn that both of them had accepted Emperor Ning Kang's call for surrender and led their troops to retreat.

After he arrived at Juyongguan, what he was most worried about was that Tao Ran and Feng Sheng's troops would go north and attack him together with Wang Ziteng outside. He was not sure he could resist them.

This really relieved Jia Lian of his worries.

Moreover, he was quite surprised that Jia Lian was able to regain Emperor Ning Kang's trust so quickly, and wanted to get closer to Jia Lian.

Now that Emperor Ning Kang succeeded in seizing power, these "heroes of the Jingnan Rebellion" should naturally unite to help Emperor Ning Kang consolidate his imperial power more quickly and seize more rights and interests from those diehards (the lineage of the retired emperor) who were destined to lose power.

Jia Lian naturally declined Feng Sheng's invitation to form an alliance. Emperor Ning Kang had clearly stated that he would keep him on ice for a while. He could not participate, and there was no need for him to get involved in the subsequent troubles.

So he took the initiative to ask about the situation of Wang Ziteng's troops.

Upon learning that Wang Ziteng had arrived at the gate of Juyongguan, Jia Lian followed Feng Sheng to the city gate to see what was going on.

As a world-famous pass, Juyongguan is worthy of its name.

Not only is the city gate majestic and tall, but the terrain on both sides is steep, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.

This is also the capital of the Great Wei Dynasty, the largest and most important barrier connecting it to the northern frontier.

At this time, Jia Lian stood on the high city gate and saw that the open space three or four miles away was filled with military formations and camps. Looking down across the night sky, the stars were dotted and the atmosphere was magnificent.

After exchanging some simple information with Feng Sheng, Jia Lian left the city gate with only two followers.

Not long after arriving outside the military formation and submitting his visiting card, he was led into a central tent and met Wang Ziteng.

Jia Lian and Wang Ziteng were naturally very familiar with each other, but when they met this time, they couldn't help but sigh a little.

After looking at Jia Lian for a long while, Wang Ziteng said, "Tell me why you're here."

"Uncle, please withdraw your troops."

"Who means that?"

"Your Majesty's will."

After a brief and direct conversation, both sides fell silent again.

"Do you know that I am leading my troops into the capital this time because of the order of the Supreme Emperor?"

"Know?"

"So what do you think I should do?"

"As ordered, withdraw your troops."

"What happens after the withdrawal?"

"Follow me to see His Majesty."

Wang Ziteng's brows furrowed completely. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "How is your majesty going to deal with me?"

Jia Lian was a little surprised by Wang Ziteng's reaction, because he did not ask about the situation on the Emperor and Tiewang Mountain like Yun Guang and the others did.

As if noticing Jia Lian's strange behavior, Wang Ziteng sighed and said, "After all, I have been running the Beijing Camp for more than ten years. At this critical moment, it shouldn't be a strange thing for someone to pass on information to me, right?"

Jia Lian understood.

Since Wang Ziteng was not completely ignorant of the situation, he spoke frankly.

"Your Majesty means that you, uncle, cannot continue to be the governor of the nine provinces, at least you cannot really control the border troops of the nine provinces as before.

Your Majesty has thought of two places for my uncle.

One is to confer upon his uncle the title of first-rank general, grant him a general's mansion, and permanently station him in the capital.

The second is to become a cabinet minister and assist in government affairs. "

Wang Ziteng raised his eyebrows and said, "Grand General? This dynasty has never heard of any such thing as a Grand General. Is it just an empty title?"

Jia Lian nodded.

At Wang Ziteng's level, it is no longer easy to find a fixed position for them.

Basically, they are specially set up according to needs.

For example, Wang Ziteng's command over nine provinces did not exist. It was Emperor Ning Kang who originally wanted to replace Wang Ziteng from the position of Jiedushi of the Beijing Camp and give him a job of patrolling the nine borders on behalf of the emperor.

In itself, he is an imperial envoy.

This is nothing in itself. It sounds impressive. But when Wang Ziteng reaches the age of retirement in a few years, this position will be abolished along with him.

This incident was unexpected, and what Emperor Ning Kang did not expect was that Wang Ziteng, a person transferred from the central government to the border area, seemed to be doing well.

It is actually possible to transfer tens of thousands of border troops to Beijing in one go!

Although it was because of the imperial edict of the retired emperor, it can also be seen that Wang Ziteng is indeed capable. Now that Emperor Ningkang has just succeeded in seizing power, it is the time when stability is needed in all aspects.

Wang Ziteng, who was able to influence the nine frontiers and was loyal to the emperor, naturally became a source of fear for Emperor Ning Kang.

Therefore, according to Emperor Ning Kang's intention, Wang Ziteng could not be like Yun Guang and Tao Ran, who were simply allowed to go back to where they came from.

A dangerous person like Wang Ziteng must have his fangs pulled out and be thrown back to the capital for surveillance.

Therefore, Emperor Ning Kang gave two options. One was to give him a nominal title of greatness and justice, which could both shut up all parties and smoothly take away Wang Ziteng's military power.

As for the second one, let Wang Ziteng join the cabinet...

According to Jia Lian's speculation, one reason was that Wang Ziteng was originally a civil servant, and secondly, after this incident, there might be some vacancies in the cabinet that needed to be filled.

Of course, both of these choices are based on the premise that Wang Ziteng is tactful and does not cause trouble.

Wang Ziteng naturally understood what Emperor Ningkang meant. He glanced at Jia Lian and suddenly asked, "As far as I know, yesterday the Supreme Emperor publicly acknowledged your status as the Emperor's grandson and asked you to lead the troops to help.

Although you stood on His Majesty's side in the end, but... does His Majesty really trust you so much that he even asked you to persuade us to surrender?
Your Majesty, you are not afraid. Are you planning to take this opportunity to escape? As soon as you leave his side, you will immediately raise the banner of the Supreme Emperor and unite with us to fight against him?"

Jia Lian smiled and said, "Then I would like to ask you, uncle, if I really have this intention, would you be willing to help me with all your strength and fight for the honor of following the dragon?"

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Jia Lian spoke very seriously, and Wang Ziteng couldn't react for a moment to whether Jia Lian was joking or not.

But he thought about it, shook his head and said, "This is a sure death. Moreover, even if we succeed by some luck, I'm afraid you and I may not get any real benefits."

Jia Lian laughed.

Yes, so what even if he really helped the retired emperor to defeat Emperor Ning Kang?

At that time, countless people will jump out and snatch the benefits from them.

Even if he was the retired emperor, he might not really be willing to acknowledge him as his grandson at that time, let alone hand over the country to an illegitimate child of his.

Looking back at history, there are very few illegitimate sons of rulers who can be recognized. At least Jia Lian has never heard of anyone trying to compete with those legitimate bloodlines for the throne.

The reason why the prince is willing to believe the emperor is because he is the legitimate heir!
After understanding Jia Lian's thoughts, Wang Ziteng asked again: "If I agree to your majesty's conditions, how can I guarantee that your majesty will not regret it in the future and will not use an excuse to settle accounts?"

It is normal for Wang Ziteng to worry. No matter what, why bother spending so much energy on a problem that can be solved with one stroke?
This might be the reason why Yun Guang and Tao Ran were both determined to side with Emperor Ning Kang. Unless Emperor Ning Kang forced them to do so, they had never intended to go to Tiewang Mountain to meet the emperor.

They were all afraid that Emperor Ning Kang would go back on his word and kill them with a single blow.

Emperor Ning Kang cares much more about Wang Ziteng than Yun Guang and the others.

Jia Lian thought for a moment and said to Wang Ziteng, "I dare not guarantee to my uncle whether Your Majesty will break his promise in the future.

But does my uncle have any other choice now?
As the saying goes, a new emperor appoints new ministers, and my uncle happens to be in such a special position, so it is rare for him to have the opportunity to have a good end.

and……"

Jia Lian glanced at the military tent that had long been cleared by Wang Ziteng, and lowered his voice and said, "Based on my observation of Your Majesty over the years, I think I know Your Majesty relatively well..."

"Oh?"

Wang Ziteng leaned his head closer, appearing quite interested.

"I won't discuss the rest. I believe that my uncle will make his own judgment. I will only say one thing... Your Majesty is more decisive than ruthless..."

Wang Ziteng was stunned for a moment, then said unhappily, "Master Xiao was so old, but he was beaten to death by him, and he didn't even give him dignity after his death. You call this 'not cruel enough'?"

Jia Lian didn't think so at all: "Xiao Jing is an exception. He got what he wanted. It just so happens that Your Majesty also needs a corpse to calm the situation. If Xiao Jing doesn't die, who will die?"

Wang Ziteng has known Emperor Ning Kang for quite some time. Thinking carefully about the past, Wang Ziteng couldn't help but nodded, somewhat agreeing with Jia Lian's opinion.

Not ruthless enough... Perhaps this can only be called a shortcoming when applied to the emperor.

But this is obviously a good thing for the ministers.

Wang Ziteng also understood what Jia Lian meant.

"So, since His Majesty is willing to give my uncle a chance to change sides, he will not break his promise easily. As long as my uncle does not make mistakes that offend His Majesty from now on, there are so many ministers left by the Emperor Emeritus. Why can't His Majesty tolerate my uncle alone?"

Wang Ziteng said, "Okay, you don't need to say anything more. I will go with you to see His Majesty."

Jia Lian nodded, not too surprised. He knew from the beginning that it would be easier to convince Wang Ziteng than Yun Guang and the others.

Because he was very familiar with Wang Ziteng, and also because Wang Ziteng was born into a literary family. Compared with those crude warriors, he was less reckless and more elegant and had a scholarly heart and soul.

In other words, scholars are more willing to accept great principles than soldiers.

But Jia Lian was also a little curious: "Then may I ask, uncle, between being a general or entering the cabinet, which one do you prefer?"

Wang Ziteng thought for a moment and replied, "Join the cabinet."

Jia Lian understood. It seemed that Wang Ziteng had no intention of retiring at all.

Yes, he is only in his fifties, which is the right age to do things.

But Jia Lian suddenly felt something indescribable. Why did he feel that the world line had inexplicably shrunk again?
Wang Ziteng in the original novel also started as the Jiedushi of the Beijing Camp, and was promoted all the way to the Commander-in-Chief of Nine Provinces and the Inspector of Nine Provinces. Finally, he died on the way to join the cabinet.

I hope that he can successfully enter the cabinet and take charge of the government in this life. After all, their relationship is pretty good now. (End of this chapter)