Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

"So, 'their crime didn't warrant death,' does that mean the tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians who died on the battlefield should have died?"

"That's true. After all, Zhu Zhen's defeat back then caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of soldiers in our Han Dynasty, the complete extinction of the founding line of military heroes, and countless civilians, resulting in the loss of thousands of miles of land."

"Later, he even became the 'Knocking Emperor,' humiliating the country to such an extent, yet he still returned to court as the Retired Emperor. Compared to him, Li Long truly didn't deserve to die!"

Emperor Jingsheng spoke each word with undisguised sarcasm.

Xia Shouzhong dared not accept this.

Although he was Emperor Jingsheng's confidant, it was precisely because he adhered to the duties of a subject that Emperor Jingsheng trusted him more and more.

"At this critical juncture for the nation, there are refugees causing trouble in Henan, gentry clans forming alliances in Jiangnan, Mongols in the northwest, Tartars in Liaodong, and the southwest is also currently unstable."

"Thinking about these things keeps me up at night..."

"What a terrible person he is! He completely disregards the overall national interest, still vying for power and profit, still trying to win people's hearts!"

"Over the years, I have been incredibly tolerant of him, yet he has repeatedly acted perversely, colluding with others to attempt a restoration, showing no sense of propriety and recklessness..."

"In that case, you can't blame me..."

Emperor Jingsheng let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had made a decision, and calmed down.

Xia Shouzhong understood the meaning behind Emperor Jingsheng's words, and a hint of anxiety appeared on his face.

I had to speak up and offer my advice:

"Your Majesty! There's no need to rush! Although most of the founding generation of warriors are already loyal to Your Majesty!"

"Most of the generals in the border army are also employed by His Majesty! But most of the military merits of the Jingnan Campaign were bought off by the Dragon Head Palace!"

"Over the years, to put their minds at ease, they've planted quite a few of their people in the Ba Shang camp and the Imperial Guards within the palace!"

"Given the current situation in the nation, it's better to remain still than to act rashly. We must at least secure a few victories on the border to enhance His Majesty's prestige in court and bolster the morale of the army and the people before taking action against them..."

"Otherwise, even if we win, it will be extremely detrimental to the stability of the court..."

While observing Emperor Jingsheng's expression, Xia Shouzhong carefully explained the gravity of the situation.

He controlled the Imperial City Guard, the intelligence agency that monitored the entire country, and there was little in the world he didn't know.

He was also an absolute confidant whom Emperor Jingsheng had brought from his time as a prince.

Because the matter was of great importance, he had no choice but to say a few words from his heart...

Emperor Jingsheng, seeing Xia Shouzhong's cautious demeanor, couldn't help but laugh:

"You old fool! Who are you trying to fool with this pitiful act! Do you think I don't trust you?"

"How could I not know what you're saying? Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to Li Long's radical strategy this time, but you've seen the result!"

"In Liaodong, Niu Jizong and his men are more than capable of holding the line, and although Nian Gengyao and Yue Zhongqi are brave, winning a battle will not be a matter of time!"

"The Qing dynasty is growing stronger every day, while our great Han dynasty is declining. We simply cannot wait any longer!"

"The founding line of military heroes was wiped out in Liaodong by that idiot Zhu Zhen. Now, only the old, the young and a bunch of women in the inner quarters remain in the capital."

"The imperial court has asked them several times to send their sons to the border for training, but few have responded. They have lost the courage of their ancestors to risk their lives. Most of them are spoiled brats raised in boudoirs, and it is hard to expect them to achieve anything..."

Emperor Jingsheng sighed, feeling a pang of melancholy.

It was the battlefield where the founding lineage followed the retired emperor, but the retired emperor's questionable actions led to a crushing defeat.

Most of the founding family heads and elite members were killed by the retired emperor Zhu Zhen, and even had to take the blame for the retired emperor's defeat, so they harbored a lot of resentment.

Therefore, after Emperor Jingsheng ascended the throne, he repeatedly bestowed favors and arranged marriages to win over the loyalty of the founding line of Wu Xun.

However, at this time, most of the founding military officers were corrupt, and there were very few capable people available.

On the contrary, he often caused trouble in the capital, giving Emperor Jingsheng a lot of trouble!

Emperor Jingsheng was also furious at their lack of ambition!

"Your Majesty is mistaken! The Duke of Cao was repeatedly recommended by the Emperor Emeritus, and with Wu Xun of the Jingnan Campaign also advocating for him, Your Majesty had no choice but to use him! His defeat has nothing to do with Your Majesty!"

"Furthermore, although the founding line has experienced occasional setbacks in recent years, they are, after all, the founding heroes who followed the founding emperor in conquering the country. The four kings, eight dukes, and twelve marquises were incredibly powerful in the army back then!"

"Even now, many of their subordinates are among the million border troops of the Han Dynasty, and the capital garrison has always been in the hands of the founding military heroes such as the Jia family. They are intermarried and closely connected, so their strength is still very powerful."

"Moreover, even in a town of ten households, there will surely be loyal and trustworthy people."

"The founding lineage included four kings, eight dukes, and twelve marquises, with over a thousand descendants. How could they not have produced talented individuals after years of quiet development?"

"Needless to mention Niu Jizong, the first-class earl of the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, Liu Fang, the first-class viscount of the Liguo Duke's Mansion, and Hou Xiaokang, the current first-class viscount of the Xiuguo Duke's Mansion, are also outstanding military figures who have both guarded the border and made military achievements."

"A few days ago, an interesting incident occurred involving the Jia family, the head of the founding line. Jia Jing, the son of General Jia She..."

As he spoke, Xia Shouzhong vividly recounted the scene that had unfolded in Rongqing Hall.

The details are so perfect that it's as if you saw it with your own eyes.

Emperor Jingsheng listened with great interest, and smiled meaningfully:

"This son is much better than his father! That scoundrel Jia She ran away from the Liaodong battlefield and disgraced the Jia family."

"Unexpectedly, his son is quite remarkable. Not only is he skilled in martial arts, but he is also ambitious, strong-willed, and determined to protect his home and country and restore the glory of his ancestors!"

"With that kind of spirit and courage, he's a cut above the rest! He's truly remarkable!"

"Whether he wants to manage his household or I want to govern the country, we must first achieve something to win people's hearts!"

"If it truly brings merit to the court, why should I hesitate to bestow upon them a high-ranking reward?"

At this point, Emperor Jingsheng pondered for a moment and asked Xia Shouzhong:

"What position is the Jia family seeking for him?"

"He is Renyong Deputy Lieutenant, a rank of eighth grade!" Xia Shouzhong replied.

"The eighth rank is a bit low. The Jia family, as the first family of military merit among the founding lineage, finally produced a figure who can serve as a role model for other founding military merits!"

"He is promoted two ranks and appointed as a seventh-rank military officer, and is given a set of precious armor. He is to immediately go to the Liaodong battlefield. He served under Geng Yao last year, and I hope he will achieve great things on the battlefield and not disappoint me!" Emperor Jingsheng ordered decisively.

"This old servant obeys the decree!" Xia Shouzhong solemnly accepted the order.

…………

Dragon Head Palace

The retired Emperor Zhu Zhen was talking with his trusted aide Dai Quan.

Emperor Emeritus Zhu Zhen, although a few years older than Emperor Jingsheng...

However, he looked younger than Emperor Jingsheng. He was a very thin man, but his back was hunched and he couldn't straighten up. It was said that he had developed this problem when he was "hunted in the north" in Liaodong.

At this moment, he was writing calligraphy and painting at his desk. Since returning to the palace from Liaodong, the retired emperor had fallen in love with calligraphy, painting, and rare flowers and stones, and his artistic attainments were quite high.

At this moment, he was painting a picture of hibiscus and golden pheasant. He seemed very satisfied with the golden pheasant with outstretched wings that seemed ready to take flight, and he smiled as he painted:

"What did the Qianqing Palace say about the Duke of Cao's matter?"