Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 210 Jia Jing, I also have a backer
……

Early morning today.

A group of officials headed by Ye Xiang and officials from the Wu Nan faction were gearing up to launch an impeachment for the unfavorable war in Southeast Asia, which allowed the Northwestern Tartars to take advantage of the situation and move south.

Some of them even arrived at the palace gate at four o'clock in the morning to wait.

Eunuch Liu, who was on duty at the palace gate, yawned and wondered, "My Lords, the palace gate will open in an hour. Is there something important that has brought you here so early?"

"Haha, Eunuch Liu, just go to sleep for a while and ignore us."

"Yes, yes. We were just worried about the country and couldn't sleep at home, so we arrived early."

"Haha, then let's go in and take a nap..." Eunuch Liu, who was guarding the palace gate, yawned and went back into the house.

As everyone waited anxiously, the sky in the east finally turned pale, and the guards on duty slowly opened the palace gate.

The court officials filed in.

In the Huangji Palace.

Emperor Anping also came early. He had learned the news of the Tartar invasion last night, and he had hardly slept all night. He was looking forward to his ministers coming up with a plan today.

"Long live my emperor."

"Everyone loves you."

"Thank you very much..."

After a set of tedious superficial procedures, Emperor Anping said calmly: "The Tatars in the northwest are rampantly heading south to invade our borders. Do you have any plans to repel them?"

The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War stepped out of his post and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Tatars in the northwest are rampantly attacking our borders because they see that the war in Nanyang is not going well for Great Xia, and they want to take advantage of the situation to rob us. I think the war in Nanyang should be ended as soon as possible."

"I second the proposal."

"The war in the South Seas is meaningless. It not only damages the reputation of our country of etiquette, but also wastes people's money and resources. So far, the court has spent a full two million taels of silver. I ask the emperor to punish Lin Ruhai!"

"I second the proposal."

Many officials in the court followed suit.

Even including some neutral officials.

It’s not that they are on either side, but in their perception, the barbaric land in Southeast Asia is not worth fighting for.

Even if it's given away for free, you still have to think carefully about whether you want that burden or not.

Emperor Anping looked at Jia Jing, who had been silent, and asked, "What do you think, Lord Jia?"

Jia Jing shook his head and said firmly: "Nanyang will be an important place in the future, just like the Maritime Silk Road. We must not let foreigners occupy it!"

Emperor Anping frowned slightly.

Deep down, he doesn't care about those places in Southeast Asia.

Daxia’s territory is already large enough.

It has a vast territory and rich resources.

If you really want to expand your territory and become the greatest emperor in history, it would be a hundred times better to conquer the Tartars in the northwest, or the Jurchens in the northeast, or even go on an expedition to Goryeo than to go to Southeast Asia, which is not even close to you.

Seeing that the emperor was dissatisfied with Jia Jing, Wu Nan stood up with a sneer and said, "Now the Northwest Tartars are heading south, the situation is critical, Lord Jia is not thinking about how to repel the enemy, but is focusing all his attention on Southeast Asia. May I ask what Lord Jia's intentions are?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the court suddenly became tense.

Everyone looked at Jia Jing.

Jia Jing smiled and said, "The pursuit of the imperial criminals who fled to Southeast Asia was ordered by the Emperor himself. I am more concerned about it. How does it have to do with the word 'intention'?"

Then, Jia Jing bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, the matter of Nanyang was decided by the Emperor Retired after all. I think it is up to the Emperor Retired to decide how to deal with it."

Emperor Anping was startled.

The emperor emeritus has hardly asked about anything else these past few days except for refining the elixir, he almost forgot... this matter even involves the emperor emeritus!

As long as the emperor is alive, he cannot be careless.

"Lord Jia, what you said makes sense!" said Emperor Anping.

Wu Nan's face looked very ugly.

Recently, he had also forgotten about the emperor emeritus, thinking that the emperor was already in charge of the government.

But in fact, as long as the emperor is still alive, he has the final say in this world.

No one can move Jia Jing.

Not only Wu Nan, but all the other people who impeached him also fell silent.

It was the emperor's idea to send troops to Southeast Asia. Wouldn't their impeachment be a sign of dissatisfaction with the emperor? At this critical juncture, we must not invite trouble.

"We will deal with the matter of Nanyang after we have clarified it with the Supreme Emperor. Now, my dear ministers, you should think about whether there is a good strategy to repel the enemy in the northwest?" Emperor Anping said, changing the subject.

Ye Xiang stepped out of the class and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, don't worry too much. We have made preparations last time. With 10,000 elite soldiers plus Datong's original garrison, it should be no problem to defend the city."

"However, during this period of caution, I think we should send another general to Anqing Prefecture to lead 20,000 troops to Datong to help defend the city."

"Prime Minister Ye's words are mature and prudent, and I second your opinion."

"I also second my opinion."

A large group of people followed Ye Xiang.

At this time, Emperor Anping frowned slightly and asked, "Just defend it? Do you have a plan to repel the enemy?"

Ye Xiang said calmly: "As long as the soldiers at the border fight bravely, the enemy will naturally retreat if they cannot take the city for a long time."

"This is a great plan!"

Everyone praised it.

Emperor Anping was speechless.

He didn't want to just play defense like a turtle.

"Lord Li, do you have any good ideas?"

Emperor Anping turned his gaze to his most trusted minister, Li Minzhi.

Li Minzhi bowed and said, "I think we can send envoys to the northwest to teach them the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and influence them with filial piety, benevolence, courtesy, virtue and righteousness. From then on, both sides will put aside their hostility and make peace. Not only will the border war be resolved, but the people will also be spared from the devastation of war. This is the benevolence of a great country..."

Emperor Anping: "..."

Talent!

He is indeed a great scholar who has read the works of sages!

"Mr. Wen, what do you think?"

Emperor Anping looked at another elder.

Wen Ting slept a little late last night and got up early this morning. He was a little tired at this moment and said in a trance: "Your Majesty, I am a little hard of hearing. Can the emperor say it again?"

Ye Xianghu was in the position of Prime Minister, a position that was out of reach.

Jia Jing came with great force, like a lion.

Lord Wen has already prepared himself to muddle through. He will hang on for another year or two, make some money for his retirement, and then retire and return home immediately.

Emperor Anping: "..."

They are all talents.

They are worthy of being the team left by his father!

"Let me ask you, do you have any strategy to repel the Tartar invasion in the northwest?" Emperor Anping asked again patiently.

He has to endure it now.

When you truly rule the world, all those people who are just sitting there doing nothing will have to get out!
Wen Ting thought for a moment and said seriously, "I think we must send a large army to Datong to help defend the city. Once Datong is lost, the vast plains behind it will be exposed to the Tartars, and the consequences will be disastrous..."

"All right."

Emperor Anping interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

"Lord Jia, do you have any good ideas?"

Jia Jing said sternly: "I think we must use thunderous means. Once the Northwest Tartars get a taste of the sweetness, the consequences will be disastrous."

Daxia has been enjoying peace and prosperity in recent years, and the civil officials have long lost their enterprising spirit and are only thinking about how to defend themselves.

Recalling the time when his father, Jia Daihua, killed many Tartars at the border and made them terrified, the captured Tartars are still being raised in the stables of their Ningguo Mansion.

What's there to be afraid of? !

"How about thunderous means?"

Emperor Anping's eyes lit up and he asked.

Jia Jing said solemnly: "One punch is better than a hundred. I think we can send all 50,000 elite troops from the Beijing camp to fight the Tartars at the gates of Datong. We must let the Tartars know that Daxia cannot be violated!"

"No!"

"Absolutely not!"

Several ministers immediately stood up to oppose it.

Among them is leaf phase.

"The Beijing Camp is responsible for protecting the stability of Kyoto. They must not be moved lightly!" Ye Xiang said in a serious tone.

Jia Jing said: "The Beijing camp has 100,000 troops. Isn't it enough to leave 50,000? Who else can stir up a huge wave in the capital?"

Ye Xiang looked at Jia Jing and sneered, "I don't know who it is either. Anyway, the Beijing camp must not move. Your Majesty, think twice."

A large group of officials followed suit and shouted.

"Your Majesty, please think twice."

The safety of the emperor and all the officials depend on the Beijing garrison.

Without the Jingying, would Jingdu still be Jingdu? Although Emperor Anping wanted to do as Jia Jing said, to strike with one blow to prevent a hundred blows, he was very afraid to mobilize the Jingying troops.

After all, your own safety is the most important thing!
"The Beijing camp cannot be moved for the time being. Does Lord Jia have any other ideas?"

Jia Jing bowed and said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am incompetent."

Emperor Anping waved his hand and said, "In that case, let's follow Prime Minister Ye's method."

The ministers shouted: "Your Majesty is wise."

This matter has been concluded.

Then, Li Minzhi, the Minister of Rites, came out and said, "For this year's autumn examination, the chief examiners of each province have been decided, and they have arrived one after another. Only Shuntian Prefecture has not yet decided. We have drawn up the positions of chief examiner, deputy chief examiner, and supervisory censor. Please review them, Your Majesty."

Xia Shouzhong hurried down, took the notebook and handed it over respectfully.

Emperor Anping looked at it carefully.

This was his first provincial examination during his official reign, and it was of great significance, so he attached great importance to it.

half an hour.

Emperor Anping nodded slightly.

The people Li Minzhi arranged were good, either neutral or his people.

These people will be his foundation in the future.

"That's right."

"The provincial examination must be taken seriously."

"The minister obeys the order!"

……

The harem, Dengxian Pavilion.

The emperor took an elixir, then sat on a cushion and meditated with his eyes closed.

After a while, a young eunuch came quietly, but did not dare to speak, and just stood aside.

"If you have anything to do, tell me."

The young eunuch said, "Reporting to the Holy Emperor, Lord Jia requests an audience."

"Oh."

The emperor opened his eyes: "Let him come in."

outside.

Jia Jing was talking to Dai Quan in the corner.

"How is the emperor doing lately?"

Jia Jing asked.

Dai Quan had a worried look on his face. He shook his head and sighed, "At first, he just meditated and practiced, but now he has started burning pills and refining mercury, and even eating elixirs..."

Jia Jing was startled and frowned, "Didn't you try to persuade him?"

Dai Quan smiled bitterly and said, "I want to persuade you, but... I dare not say a word."

"correct!"

Dai Quan looked around and whispered, "The day before yesterday, the emperor presented two jars of cinnabar to the emperor emeritus for burning elixirs and refining mercury. The emperor emeritus praised the emperor for his filial piety."

Jia Jing: “…”

The emperor is a little anxious.

But he can't control this matter.

Don't dare to care either.

He can't involve the Duke's Mansion.

"Keep this matter to yourself and never tell anyone," Jia Jing reminded.

Dai Quan said hurriedly: "Of course I know this, but I just mentioned it to Lord Jia, and I feel really uncomfortable holding it in my heart."

"Hey."

Jia Jing sighed: "I know it's not easy for the father-in-law."

Dai Quan's eyes moistened, and he took Jia Jing's hand and said, "With what Lord Jia said, our family has lived a meaningful life."

This is what a true friend is.

Dai Quan suddenly felt warm in his heart.

At this time, the young eunuch came out and the two of them stopped talking.

"The Emperor wants to see Lord Jia."

Dai Quan hurriedly said, "I won't go in. Elder Jia, please advise the emperor. I will be grateful to you."

Jia Jing patted Dai on the shoulder and said seriously, "I will do it. This is what a minister should do. Don't worry."

"Thank you..."

Dai Quan murmured with red eyes, his voice barely audible.

Jia Jing paused, then strode into the Dengxian Pavilion.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Holy Emperor."

The emperor was still sitting on the futon, waving a worn-out fan in his hand, and said with a smile: "My dear minister, please don't be polite. Come, please give my dear minister Jia a seat."

Jia Jing bowed again, then sat down as he was told. Looking at the increasingly thin appearance of the retired emperor, he said worriedly, "Holy Emperor, for the sake of the country, please take care of your health!"

The Emperor waved his hand and said, "I know what's going on. My dear minister, don't worry. I heard that the Tartars from the northwest are heading south to invade our border."

Jia Jing said: "There is such a thing, but it has been arranged in advance, so the Holy Emperor does not need to worry."

The Emperor nodded slightly, "With you here, I feel at ease. The Emperor is young and inexperienced. If there is anything wrong, you old ministers don't have to be polite. Just point it out directly."

"This is all for his own good."

Jia Jing hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Your Majesty is humble and eager to learn. He is quick to learn and will surely be a wise ruler in the future."

"That way, I feel relieved."

The Emperor Taishang waved the fan in his hand again and asked, "My dear, why did you come here today?"

Jia Jing stood up, bowed and said, "It's about Nanyang."

"Oh?"

The Emperor asked, "But is it successful?"

Jia Jing said: "It should be soon."

"In the past year, Lord Lin and I have discovered that Nanyang's geographical location is very important. We must not allow Westerners to occupy it, otherwise it is very likely to threaten half of our Jiangnan territory."

The emperor nodded and said, "Just go ahead and do it. I will take care of everything."

Jia Jing was relieved, his eyes moistened as he said, "The Holy Emperor has trusted me, and I have no way to repay him. I can only devote myself to the Holy Emperor until my death!"

"Lord Jia is thoughtful."

"By the way, my expenditure on the Ascension Pavilion exceeded expectations, and I'm short of one million taels..." the emperor suddenly said.

"Saint Emperor, rest assured. I will go to the Ministry of Revenue to ask for it."

The emperor nodded with satisfaction.

"That way, I feel relieved."

Having said this, he closed his eyes and rested on the cushion.

Jia Jing wanted to persuade him a few more times, but he felt it was unnecessary. If the emperor could understand, he would naturally understand. If he couldn't understand, even if he tried his best to persuade him, it would only make him more annoying.

By the way, his son Zhen Ge'er seems to have also become a Taoist. It seems like I haven't seen him for some time...

I don’t know how the repair is going?
……

"Mr. Jia, what's going on?"

As soon as he came out, Dai Quan rushed over to him.

Jia Jing nodded slightly: "It's not that bad, it's not as serious as you thought. You just need to keep an eye on the pills at all times. The emperor must find someone to test the poison before taking it."

Dai Quan said hurriedly: "Of course I know this."

"There is one more thing." Jia Jing said again: "I want to see Bu Lingzi. Go and ask him to come out."

Dai Quan sighed, "Oh, Lord Jia, you don't know that Bu Lingzi is favored by the Emperor, and he is too arrogant. I can't persuade him."

"Oh."

Jia Jing frowned slightly, called a young eunuch in the Dengxian Pavilion, and said, "Go and tell Taoist Master Bu Lingzi that I want to see him."

The young eunuch naturally did not dare to say much, and hurriedly went in to report. After a long while, he came out and replied carefully: "The Taoist priest said that he dared not disobey the master's summons, but it happened to be the critical moment of refining the elixir, and he could not leave..."

"Humph!"

Jia Jing flicked his sleeves!
Dai Quan said: "Look, are you crazy beyond measure?"

Jia Jing thought about it and said, "That's fine."

"Let's not bother with him for now."

"He should understand that the emperor is his backer so he can be so arrogant, so he should serve him carefully."

……

(End of this chapter)