Dream of the Red Chamber: After being exiled, I went on a killing spree in Liaodong.

He doesn't even have a real position now; he's just temporarily holding the title of governor-general. He lives in constant fear that he'll be dismissed from this post in the blink of an eye.

But what about Jia Yi? That illegitimate son of the Jia family, whom he once regarded as a fool and played with, is now someone he can only look up to!

"Niu Jizong!" The Emperor Emeritus's voice suddenly rose, his gaze piercing. "This time, you followed Jia Yi in battles across the north and south, repeatedly achieving meritorious service. I have discussed with the Emperor and have promoted you to Second-Class Marquis. I hope you will live up to your family's legacy and restore the glory of your clan!"

"Your humble servant... thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"

Niu Jizong's knees buckled, and he knelt down on the ground, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

He originally thought that at best he could get a third-class marquisate, which would only be for show.

Unexpectedly, a great favor descended from heaven, and he rose to the top in one step! His head slammed against the gold brick, making a sound like thunder.

The members of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes lineage were all beaming with joy, as if they had suddenly encountered the spring sun in the dead of winter.

Now that they have produced a Duke of Qin and added a Second-Class Marquis, they can finally stand up straight! From now on, who will dare to be disrespectful in the slightest when speaking in court?

But just as the joyous atmosphere was fading, Emperor Yuankang's gaze suddenly turned cold, and his voice was like a blade slicing through the warm breeze:

"The rewards are all given, now it's time to settle accounts."

The entire hall fell silent.

Many people felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.

The Loyal and Brave Camp has just returned to the capital, their swords still sheathed and their horses still saddled... Is it about to make a move?

However, the officials remained oblivious to the truth, believing that the scholars outside the palace gates had caused too much trouble, and that the emperor wanted to punish Jia Yi to appease the public anger.

Instantly, countless eyes turned to Jia Yi, their gazes filled with barely concealed schadenfreude.

Su Xing, Luo Hong, and Zhongshun Wang laughed so hard that fine lines appeared at the corners of their mouths and their eyes twitched; their smugness was almost overflowing.

Zhao Lu was so excited he almost jumped up from his seat. His previous jealousy had turned into ecstasy, exploding in his heart like fireworks.

The censors were all eager to act, their sleeves already filled with impeachment petitions, waiting only for the emperor's order—

They would then rise up and attack, nailing Jia Yi to the pillar of shame for "deceiving the emperor and harming the country"!

"Su Xing, Luo Hong."

Emperor Yuankang suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but like an ice pick piercing straight into one's bone marrow.

"You...don't you have anything to say?"

The entire audience was stunned.

What?! Instead of impeaching Jia Yi?! They're suddenly naming the Duke of Zhao and the Duke of Hu?!

The smiles on Su Xing and Luo Hong's faces froze instantly, and their hearts sank.

"Your Majesty... Your humble servant... does not know what you mean..."

The two exchanged a glance, trying to remain calm, but cold sweat was already beading on their foreheads.

Emperor Yuankang sneered, slowly rose, and as his dragon robe billowed, he seemed to exude an aura of impending doom.

"It seems you two have quite the memory."

He spoke each word slowly and deliberately, his voice like thunder rolling across the hall:

"You previously colluded with unscrupulous merchants and secretly communicated with the Later Jin—did you think you could get away with it undetected?"

boom!!!

These words were like a thunderbolt, causing an uproar throughout the entire Golden Palace!

"What?! The Duke of Zhao is colluding with the enemy?!"

"Even Duke Hu is involved?! Are you kidding me! They are dukes!"

"Impossible! Could it be... that the emperor intends to weaken the power of the regional military governors?"

The discussion erupted like a tidal wave, and everyone in the Golden Palace gasped in shock, their expressions varied.

Su Xing and Luo Hong's faces turned deathly pale instantly. They knelt down with a thud, their foreheads slamming against the gold bricks: "Your Majesty, please understand! This is absolutely not true! Someone must have framed us! As Your Majesty knows, we are utterly loyal to the Great Qian Dynasty, as Heaven and Earth can attest!"

They had originally planned to ask the retired emperor to intervene today and regain control of the Beijing garrison.

Little did they expect that instead of help, they would be met with utter destruction!

"Grandfather!" Prince Yizhong suddenly stepped forward, his voice urgent. "The Duke of Zhao and the Duke of Hu are pillars of our Great Qian Dynasty. How can they be punished because of a few rumors? We must not fall for the schemes of these petty people!"

He was furious.

These two men were key pieces in his long-term plan. Once they fell from power, the power of the Beijing Garrison would fall completely into the hands of the emperor!

Emperor Yuankang's eyes flashed with anger, wishing he could draw his sword and kill the prince who harbored evil intentions on the spot.

If the Emperor Emeritus hadn't been still in front of him, he would have made this man bleed five steps away!

"You—shut up!"

The retired emperor roared, his voice shaking the roof tiles.

He stared intently at Prince Yizhong, his eyes filled with disappointment and fury.

This grandson, whom they had raised with such tender care since childhood, was secretly colluding with such a treacherous and rebellious traitor!

Prince Yizhong trembled, staggered backward, and his face drained of color.

Grandfather... has never reprimanded him like this before!

The retired emperor stopped looking at him, and with a flick of his wrist, a thick stack of secret reports slammed into Su Xing and Luo Hong's faces!

"You're saying someone's spreading rumors?"

His voice was deep, yet as cold as the wind from the deepest hell:

"Then how do you explain all of this?!"

Su Xing bent down and picked up a secret letter. After just one glance, his face turned deathly pale and his fingertips trembled.

Luo Hong glanced at it, his legs went weak on the spot, and he collapsed to the ground, his face ashen.

The royal family had long been aware of their collusion with merchants and their secret dealings with the Later Jin!

The other officials all peered over, and after seeing what was on the table, they were all trembling with rage, their teeth grinding together.

No one expected that these two old men would reveal the entire layout, supply lines, and troop deployment of the Loyal and Brave Camp! If they hadn't been intercepted en route... and the Later Jin army hadn't been lying in ambush, the Loyal and Brave Camp would probably have been wiped out!

Without the protective barrier of the Loyal and Brave Camp, the enemy's iron hooves swept in, advancing all the way south, and the capital was in imminent danger!

"Those two despicable old thieves!"

"I'll tear them apart alive!"

Several hot-tempered officials roared and rushed forward, kicking Su Xing in the face, causing blood to splatter.

Punches and kicks rained down, leaving the two men bruised and battered, howling in pain. After a long while, the group, panting heavily, retreated back to their formation with cold faces.

"Drag them away!" Emperor Yuankang said coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion. "The entire family, including nine generations, will be executed."

He needs no further comment on such a traitor who sells out his country for personal gain.

The entire court of civil and military officials exclaimed in unison, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Before the words were even finished, a figure suddenly darted out—

"Your Majesty, please wait! Leave this dirty work to me!"

Jia Yi's lips curled slightly as he took a step forward, his palm striking like thunder.

"Bang--!"

With two muffled thuds, Su Xing and Luo Hong's necks twisted, and they died on the spot. Their bodies crashed heavily to the ground without them even uttering a sound.

[Ding! Host has killed two dukes, reward: 1,000 elite Imperial Guards!]

The system notification exploded in Jia Yi's mind, and his eyes lit up.

A thousand Imperial Guards? That's equivalent to a thousand eyes and ears! From now on, which corner of the court and the martial world can escape his notice?

Emperor Yuankang and the retired emperor looked at the "loyal" young man before them, and their eyelids twitched suddenly.

"Jia Yi..." Emperor Yuankang chuckled twice, "Next time, you don't need to do this yourself."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Jia Yi grinned, revealing a simple-minded look, but his eyes were as deep as an abyss.

The officials felt a chill run down their spines and quietly took a half step back.

This kid is ruthless; he turns on you faster than flipping through a book—today he's a hero, tomorrow he might be a death knell. Who dares to mess with him?

Wang Ziteng, standing in the corner, stared at the corpse on the ground with gleaming eyes, secretly delighted.

With those two old geezers dead, shouldn't it be my turn to officially become the Military Governor of the Capital Garrison?

Before the dream could even finish, reality slapped me in the face.

"Niu Jizong, now that you have returned," the Emperor Emeritus said in a deep voice, "you shall assume the post of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison. You must rebuild the military and live up to the trust placed in you."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Niu Jizong clasped his hands in acceptance, his face beaming with excitement.

Wang Ziteng's smile froze on his face, his eyes glazed over: What about me? What am I supposed to do?!