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

Inside the Qianqing Palace.

Despite Wang Ziteng's angry glare, Jia Jing remained calm and his gaze was firm.

He has now basically completed the reorganization of the Jia family, and in official circles, the Jia family will only have his voice.

Next, we need to deal with the four major families and the relatives and friends of the founding line. We should either accept what needs to be accepted or sever ties with what needs to be severed. We cannot let them implicate us and cause us to choose the wrong side.

The Wang family, represented by Wang Ziteng, is undoubtedly the one that Jia Jing wants to cut ties with.

Prince Teng is too selfish, has mediocre abilities, and only cares about his own future while ignoring the interests of the country. Sooner or later, he will be disliked by Emperor Jingsheng.

Wang Ziteng, unaware of Jia Jing's thoughts, and seeing everyone in the hall looking at him, angrily questioned:

"Jia Jing, court deliberations are meant for everyone to express their opinions. What crime have I committed that you dare to be so arrogant and presumptuously request the execution of a court official!"

Jia Jing didn't even look at him, and said coldly:

"You, Prince Teng, as the Vice Minister of War, are entrusted with important military affairs by His Majesty's trust, yet you do not think of contributing to the country or sharing His Majesty's burdens, but instead keep talking about peace talks."

"He even cursed my great Han Dynasty repeatedly, saying that it had little chance of winning. His words were full of high-sounding rhetoric, but he had no real plan in mind."

"They only know how to fawn over foreign powers, disgracing our national prestige and military might. How can we not execute them to show the world!"

Wang Ziteng:

"..."

When did I curse...?

Do I truly have no solution in mind?

I think you're the one who's really sharp-tongued and only good at talking!

Emperor Jingsheng sat high behind his desk, listening to Jia Jing's heated debate with others, a barely perceptible smile flashing across his eyes.

His gaze fell upon Jia Jing's tall and upright figure, and he felt an indescribable sense of comfort.

Jia Jing's words resonated deeply with him.

Emperor Jingsheng never intended to negotiate peace; otherwise, he wouldn't have started preparing for war more than a month ago!

However, before each battle, the imperial court was filled with a trend of negotiating peace and surrendering.

This was the case when we fought against the pseudo-Qing dynasty last time, and it's the same when we fight against the Hunxie and the Northern Yuan this time.

The difference is that last time, he withstood the pressure alone, overcame all opposition, and insisted on using Nian Gengyao and Yue Zhongqi to fight against the puppet Qing dynasty.

This time, Jia Jing was his vanguard. Jia Jing even said the things that he couldn't say himself!

Emperor Jingsheng had long harbored resentment towards Xu Qianxue, a pedantic scholar from the old party, but due to his status, he could not directly denounce him as hypocritical, pedantic, and incompetent.

Great! It feels so good to have your own people around!

Emperor Jingsheng paused for a moment, glanced at Prince Teng and Xu Qianxue, and said in a deep voice:

"My esteemed ministers, please calm down and continue our discussion. We must reach a decision today!"

At this moment, Xu Qianxue regained some of his spirits and stepped forward to speak:

"Since Marquis Jingwu is determined to fight, he must be confident of victory."

"If the frontline battle is poorly fought, and the war drags on without victory, or even if cities and territories are lost, and casualties are heavy, should the responsibility be placed on Marquis Jingwu?"

Jia Jing retorted coldly:

"Since Lord Xu is so determined to negotiate peace, what if the puppet Qing and Northern Yuan countries go back on their word, tear up the treaty, and start another war?"

"Even invading our land, killing our people, causing our Han Dynasty to miss a crucial opportunity, and suffering national humiliation and loss of sovereignty—shouldn't this responsibility fall on you, Lord Xu?"

Unexpectedly, Xu Qianxue was not only a pedantic Confucian scholar who surrendered, but also a cunning and treacherous villain.

Although Jia Jing was confident of victory in this battle, he could not reveal it at this time.

Firstly, even if he said it, others wouldn't believe him; they would only think Jia Jing was arrogant and conceited.

Secondly, if victory is guaranteed, then there will be no surprise if you win, and the consequences of defeat will be even more severe. What's the point of that?

He would not only refrain from claiming certain victory, but would also acknowledge that the battle would be difficult, challenging, and risky.

If he wins then, it will be a victory that Jia Jing has fought hard for, risking his life and enduring countless hardships.

Of course, this battle was a tough one for ordinary generals!

He could shed blood and exert himself for the Han Dynasty, but he couldn't let anyone steal his credit.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qianxue merely snorted coldly and remained silent, clearly aware that barbarians were very likely to go back on their word.

Jia Jing bowed to Emperor Jingsheng again and said in a deep voice:

"This battle may be difficult, but should we negotiate peace and surrender simply because it is difficult?"

"Has the nation nurtured scholars for a century precisely so that we might step forward in times of crisis?"

"For more than a hundred years since the founding of our country, the puppet Qing and the Northern Yuan have been rampaging across the borders of our Central Plains dynasty, slaughtering our people and plundering our young men, acting with utter impunity, which is extremely hateful."

"They rely on their upbringing on horseback and their superb riding skills, which allow them to come and go as they please. They regard the Central Plains as their backyard, coming and going as they please."

"They have committed countless evil deeds, and their hands are stained with the blood of the people of our great Han Dynasty!"

"Our great Han Dynasty is not only irreconcilably opposed to the puppet Qing Dynasty, but also harbors a deep-seated hatred for the Northern Yuan! If news of a peace treaty were to spread, the people and soldiers on the northwestern border would be chilled to the bone and their hearts would be filled with unbearable pain!"

"As a military officer of the nation, I have no other choice but to fight to the death against this invading enemy!"

"The military situation is critical. I urge Your Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible, lest we miss the opportunity and allow the puppet Qing and Northern Yuan to take advantage of us!"

Jia Jing's words left everyone present stunned!

However, Xu Qianxue and Wang Ziteng did not stand up to refute him again, because they simply could not win the argument!

Emperor Jingsheng also felt that the time was right; everything that needed to be discussed had been discussed, and it was time to make a decision.

He also feared that if the delay continued, something might happen on the Northwest front, so his expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice:

"I am aware of what you have discussed. Since ascending the throne, I have worked diligently day and night, my only wish being to revive the Han Dynasty during my lifetime!"

"We have worked diligently and conscientiously over the years, daring not to slack off! Regarding the Northwest issue, negotiation and talk of peace are not feasible!"

"The power and prestige of our Great Han Dynasty surpasses all previous dynasties. Emperor Taizu once left behind the ancestral precepts: Our Great Han Dynasty has no marriage alliances like the Xia Dynasty, no alliances like the Tang Dynasty, no meager tributes like the Song Dynasty, and no etiquette between brothers and enemy states. The emperor guards the gates of the country, and the monarch dies for the state."

"This is the foundation upon which our great Han dynasty was founded, and it is also the spirit and backbone of the Han people! I deeply admire it!"

"Therefore, when faced with the invasion of 150,000 troops of the puppet Qing dynasty, I did not retreat a single step."

"At that time, public opinion was in an uproar, with many saying that the Manchu Qing dynasty was invincible and that talk of peace and surrender was everywhere."

"I withstood the pressure, acted decisively, and ultimately defeated the enemy nation. Of course, Minister Jia deserves the most credit for this..."