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

Jia Jing didn't argue with him, but simply asked:

"What if the Northern Yuan and Hunxie make excessive demands after the peace agreement is reached?"

"What if, after the peace treaty, the Northern Yuan and Hunye are again instigated by the pseudo-Qing to invade?"

"Barbarians are always cunning and fickle; can their words be trusted?"

"To think you can get what you can't get on the battlefield at the negotiating table? That's naive and childish!"

It's not like the Han Dynasty hasn't signed contracts with countries like the Northern Yuan, and many of them have been unilaterally torn up. If your fist isn't strong, everything else is meaningless.

Xu Qianxue, with a solemn expression and righteous indignation, said:

"If Bei Yuan and Hun Xie are fickle and unpredictable, they will surely be despised by the people of the world. As the ancients said, those who follow the Way receive much help, while those who stray from the Way receive little help. If they go back on their word, they will surely not have a good end."

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing, enraged, laughed instead and retorted sarcastically:

"This reminds me of when Duke Cao hired a Taoist priest to perform rituals and set up an array to defend against the Qing army! Just as absurd and laughable!"

"This is utterly ridiculous! How could you utter such ignorant words? You're supposed to be a high-ranking official in the imperial court; I think you're either stupid or malicious!"

"Why don't you pray that heaven will send lightning to strike down this faithless barbarian!"

"Is this the first time the Northern Yuan has gone back on its word? Is this the first time the puppet Qing has invaded our territory and killed our people?"

"Their unprovoked military action was already morally reprehensible, so why don't we see the world condemning them? Why don't we see them meet a bad end?"

"Since you're so good at spouting grand principles, why don't you go to the border and use your silver tongue to reason with the barbarians' swords and spears, and see if they'll hold back when they start killing!"

"It is a disgrace to serve as a courtier with someone as ignorant and incompetent as you!"

Xu Qianxue's expression changed drastically after being scolded by Jia Jing again. His face turned ashen as he pointed at Jia Jing and said:

"You...you..."

Jia Jing had absolutely no liking for pedantic scholars like Xu Qianxue.

At this critical juncture for the Han Dynasty, they still think of using morality to win over the barbarians, spouting nonsense about how the righteous gain many supporters and the unrighteous lose few. It's all just empty platitudes and hypocritical rhetoric. They're both stupid and wicked!

How can conflicts between nations be resolved through reasoning?

Ultimately, it all comes down to strength.

Think about the Manchu conquest of China in later years, the Yangzhou Massacre, the Jiading Massacre, and the sinking of China. The number of dead people was in the tens of millions. Why didn't we see these Confucian disciples stand up and condemn them?

On the contrary, these were the people who were quickest to defect to the enemy.

Kneeling like a slave, complaining that the water was too cold. Shameless to the point of having no bottom line.

Even the barbarians know: Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will debate the classics for me!

It's ironic just thinking about it!

At this moment, Wang Ziteng, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it any longer. Seeing that Xu Qianxue was clearly no match for Jia Jing, he stepped forward and loudly questioned:

"Jia Jing, the enemy is currently very powerful. What's wrong with seeking peace as a temporary expedient?"

"As long as we wait for the Northern Yuan and Hunye to withdraw their troops, and for me to reorganize the capital garrison and the court to reorganize the border troops, even if the Northern Yuan breaks the alliance and invades again next year, our Great Han will have a better chance of winning."

"If we rashly start a war now, you've only had four months to assemble your army at your camp. Can you really be confident that you can defeat them?"

"If a single misstep leads to a crushing defeat, that would be a disaster that endangers the nation!"

The child only knows how to be tough and violent; he has no understanding of the overall situation of the country.

Even if peace talks damage national prestige and come at a considerable cost, at least they will not endanger the safety of the nation.

However, if the country suffers a defeat on the battlefield, that would be a major disaster that shakes the very foundation of the nation.

Jia Jing looked at Wang Ziteng and said coldly:

"Whether I can win by taking over the main camp, I can't say."

"But I know that if Lord Wang only knows how to beg for peace and surrender, you'd better not organize the Beijing garrison, lest you turn a whole battalion into spineless cowards."

Wang Ziteng's face turned red and veins bulged on his forehead from Jia Jing's words.

This reorganization of the Beijing Garrison is crucial to his chances of becoming Minister of War. It's a matter of great importance, yet Jia Jing publicly denied his abilities. Isn't this hindering his career?

Wang Ziteng's expression changed, and he tore off his mask, shouting sharply:

"Jia Jing, you've only been stationed on the border for two years and won a minor victory against foreign enemies. How dare you be so arrogant, disregarding us and slandering us so wantonly!"

Jia Jing smiled dismissively and asked in return:

"My victory was merely a minor one, killing only a few hundred thousand of the puppet Qing soldiers. I wonder if Lord Wang, in all his years in office, has ever achieved such a minor victory?"

Although Jia Jing did not want to boast about his achievements in front of everyone, he did so in order to give Emperor Jingsheng and the observing cabinet ministers some confidence.

One has to ask Wang Ziteng and Xu Qianxue a question:

What are your records?

How dare they wag their tongues and spout nonsense here?

Having said that, Jia Jing ignored the court officials and bowed to Emperor Jingsheng, saying:

"Your Majesty! It takes a thousand days to raise an army for a single battle. I am honored by Your Majesty's selection of me from humble beginnings, and my thoughts are constantly on serving the monarch and the country."

"The border is now in grave danger, and the barbarians are rampant! Your Majesty, I am willing to take up my sword and sweep away the barbarians, pacify the grasslands, quell the border troubles, and protect our land."

"Even if I am shattered to pieces and die on the battlefield, I will not hesitate!"

"Your subject, Jia Jing, requests permission to lead an expedition!"

As Jia Jing uttered these resounding words, it was as if a boulder had been thrown into the water, instantly creating a huge uproar in the hall, and the officials began to discuss it animatedly.

Even Chen Qiao, the Minister of War who seemed to be half asleep, opened his old eyes and glanced at Jia Jing seemingly unintentionally.

Gong Dingzi and Li Guangdi looked intently at Emperor Jingsheng behind the imperial desk and then at Jia Jing.

Zhang Tingyu frowned, his gray eyebrows furrowing slightly. He quietly tugged at several memorials hidden in his sleeve, shifting one of the pro-war memorials outwards.

"Your subject, Niu Jizong, as a military officer of the nation, has an inescapable duty and is willing to serve the country with his life. I beg Your Majesty's permission!"

Niu Jizong followed closely behind and bowed to Emperor Jingsheng.

He hadn't kept up with the verbal sparring between the Marquis of Jingwu and his ministers earlier, but now was the perfect opportunity to show his loyalty.

Seeing the two men looking so devoted to their country, Prince Teng, who was advocating for peace, suddenly seemed like a treacherous minister!

He hurriedly advised Emperor Jingsheng:

"Your Majesty! You must not raise an army out of anger! The lesson of the late Emperor Emeritus is not far off; Your Majesty must be cautious!"

"The court is facing a shortage of funds to wage war at this time, which is indeed not a good opportunity and the chances of victory are slim. Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

To demonstrate his loyalty, Prince Teng even used the retired emperor as a negative example.

Jia Jing cupped his hands and said:

"Prince Teng has bewitched the Emperor; I request that he be executed to bring peace to the realm!"

Wang Ziteng:

"..."

At this moment, Wang Ziteng's eyes were wide with anger; he truly hated Jia Jing to the core.

Although the two had internal conflicts among the four major families and a struggle for political resources with the Jia family, they were still fighting without breaking apart.

Wang Ziteng's display of aloofness and even hostility towards Jia Jing was partly a gesture intended for Emperor Jingsheng.

Otherwise, how could he have been given the task of organizing the Beijing garrison this time?

He feared that Jia Jing's growing power would affect his career, so he simply maintained a distance.

But now, he truly hates Jia Jing for his repeated and merciless attacks.

This arrogant and unruly brat will surely meet a terrible end sooner or later!

Just wait and see. Once I've successfully reorganized the Beijing Garrison and become the Minister of War, we'll see what happens!