Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 59 Praise from All Under Heaven: The Jia Family's Inner Court Discusses Jia Yan
"The imperial edict states: With the victory at Datong and the peace throughout the land, I am overjoyed. I hereby bestow upon the border troops of Datong, Xuanfu, and Shanxi one million taels of silver and one thousand jars of imperial wine. All compensation and relief shall be paid by the Imperial Household Department. All generals who fought in this battle shall return to the capital to receive their titles and rewards."

Overjoyed, Emperor Yongping issued an edict.

"Your Majesty is wise."

The ministers all voiced their agreement.

"Yes."

Su Peisheng personally went down to draft an imperial edict, which was then sent to the nine border towns and three garrisons.

News of the victory spread from the palace to the entire capital, and nobles, officials, wealthy merchants, and even ordinary people all cheered with joy. This was the greatest victory since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty, and it had quelled the threat from the northern desert in one fell swoop.

From now on, the dynasty only needs to deal with the Later Jin in Liaodong and the Dzungars in the Western Regions, and can free up its resources to deal with these guys.

At the same time, the name of Tiger General Jia Yan resounded throughout the land. At only fifteen years old, he marched more than 5,000 li, sealed the Wolf Mountain and inscribed the Yanran Mountain. He was invincible in the northern desert and killed the Mongol Khan. Every single one of his deeds was awe-inspiring.

Throughout the history of the Central Plains dynasties, very few could rival them. Huo Qubing of the Western Han Dynasty, Dou Xian of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and Li Wenzhong of the Ming Dynasty were all slightly inferior. How could people of the world not be amazed?

After the court assembly ended, Jia Zheng returned to the Rongguo Mansion and summoned all the members of the Jia family together.

"Mother."

"The northern frontier has been pacified, and His Majesty has issued an edict ordering all generals to return to the capital."

"The Northern Expeditionary Army and the Beijing Garrison should be setting off back to Beijing in the next few days."

"Yange'er made the greatest contribution to this battle, and he was praised by everyone in the court and the public."

Jia Zheng said with pride.

"Ah."

On the couch in Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia's cloudy old eyes showed surprise. She really did not expect that the arrogant and domineering young man could achieve such a feat. It was simply unbelievable!
"old lady."

Jia Zhen stepped forward respectfully: "I have already sent someone to the temple to invite Father, but Father said that as a monk, it is inconvenient for him to show his face."

"I would like to ask the Ancestor to take charge of my second brother's return to the capital."

"I agree to this matter."

Grandmother Jia did not refuse, replying, "Yan-ge'er's triumphant return to the capital is truly a major event for the Jia family."

“Three hundred tables were set up on Ningrong Street for a three-day banquet, where all relatives and clansmen shared in the joy.”

"Let's hold the main banquet at the West Mansion."

No matter how much she liked Jia Baoyu, and even though Grandmother Jia was dissatisfied with Jia Yan because of him, she knew very well that the Jia family only had this one outstanding son, and only Jia Yan could uphold the family's reputation. No matter what, she had to give him face.

"Yes."

With Grandmother Jia's approval, Jia Zhen's face lit up with relief.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was filled with mixed emotions.

Jia Lian and Jia Rong smiled, knowing they would benefit from Jia Yan's influence in the future, and their presence in the capital would be more commanding. Wang Xifeng and Qin Keqing glanced at the two of them simultaneously, their beautiful eyes filled with unspoken emotions.

Jia She sat upright to the side, looking completely at ease. Madam Xing remained expressionless, while a hint of worry flashed across Madam You's eyes. She had never been able to interfere in the inner workings of the Ningguo Mansion, and now that Jia Yan had gained power, how was she supposed to deal with her younger brother-in-law?

Li Wan, dressed simply and elegantly in the corner, seemed to be thinking of Jia Zhu, who died young, and couldn't help but feel sad.

No one noticed Lady Wang's unusual behavior. She hated Jia Yan to the core and wished he would die on the battlefield. Now that she heard that Jia Yan had returned victorious, her resentment grew even stronger.

"Second brother."

Jia She, who had been nonchalant, suddenly called out to Jia Zheng.

"Brother."

Slightly taken aback, Jia Zheng was somewhat caught off guard.

“These days, guests from both mansions have been arriving in droves. I imagine it’s difficult for my sister-in-law to support them all alone.”

"I'll have Lian-ge and his wife help with the arrangements, you don't have any objections, do you?"

"Brother, what are you saying? It's most suitable for Lian-ge and his wife to take care of things." Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng quickly agreed. Everyone in the mansion knew that Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng were very shrewd and capable people. Moreover, the couple were the face of the fourth generation of the Rongguo Mansion, so it was perfectly acceptable for them to receive guests.

"That's good."

Jia She glanced at Madam Wang out of the blue, and Madam Wang was startled and felt uneasy.

No one noticed anything amiss; they simply assumed that Jia She was using this opportunity to support his eldest son.

"Thank you very much, sir and lord!"

Wang Xifeng pulled Jia Lian along and hurriedly bowed, her beautiful face beaming with joy, which made Madam Xing somewhat envious and jealous.

Therefore, the Jia family set out a plan to welcome Jia Yan. After everyone dispersed, Jia She had someone call Jia Lian and his wife to his separate residence.

"Father!"

Jia Lian was still in a daze when Wang Xifeng asked, "Is there anything I need to explain?"

"Humph!!!"

Seeing Jia Lian's appearance, Jia She snorted coldly, saying with disappointment, "If you had even a fraction of Feng Ge'er's intelligence, I would have risked my reputation to arrange a real post for you. Why are you just a purchased official? And now you still don't know what's going on."

"Father, I."

Jia Lian was overwhelmed with shame and lowered his head.

"What's so special about a mere fifth-rank official like Tongzhi?"

"Do you know how good it all came of following those noble sons of Yan Ge'er on this trip?"

"Leaving aside other matters, just consider Han Qi of the Marquis of Jinxiang, Feng Ziying, the son of General Feng Tang, Chen Yejun of the Marquis of Suiping, and Wei Ruolan, the son of Wei Jingyuan. At least one of them holds the rank of Light Cavalry Captain, a hereditary position that can be inherited by his descendants at a lower rank."

"You still have the nerve to seek pleasure in the capital? Just wait and see which of them will even pay you any attention."

"I"

Jia Lian's lips curled into an unusually bitter smile.

Wang Xifeng's beautiful eyes lit up, and she blurted out, "Father, do you want us to befriend Brother Yan and benefit from his good fortune?"

"good."

Jia She's attitude towards his daughter-in-law was clearly better than his attitude towards Jia Lian. Wang Xifeng was shrewd, capable, resourceful, decisive, ruthless, and extremely power-hungry. If she were a man, she would definitely be a master at navigating the officialdom.

"The merits that Yan Ge'er has made are worthy of being a duke."

"The Emperor Emeritus previously issued an edict to confer the title of Lord Wu'an upon my brother Jing, which was in preparation for his return to the capital to receive the title."

"He must be at least a marquis, the head of the nobility, whose call would be answered by many."

'what? '

Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng stared wide-eyed. Even if he wasn't a Duke, a fifteen-year-old Marquis was still quite frightening.

"Some time ago, I went to Xuanzhen Temple and learned that Brother Jing had given him the Black Cloud Token."

"The Black Cloud Token?"

The Jia Lian couple were completely bewildered.

"Our Jia family has two dukes, with the Ningguo Mansion being the most respected. The East Mansion is the lineage of the clan head. The Ningguo Mansion first established the Black Cloud Capital, which is a first-class intermediary organization in the world."

"The Black Cloud Token is the token of the Jia family, which has been held in the East Mansion for generations. Holding this token, one can summon the eight branches in the capital and the twelve branches in Jinling."

"It seems that Brother Jing tacitly approved Yan Ge'er's purge of the clan and the selection of some people to do things."

At this point, Jia She glanced at Jia Lian and his wife.

"This"

The Jia Lian couple were startled; the Jia family's secrets were gradually being revealed to them.

(End of this chapter)