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

Emperor Jingsheng said calmly:

"Oh! Then I must have misremembered!"

Emperor Jingsheng's brief question sent a chill down the spines of everyone present, who knew that Xu Qianxue's career was over!

This wasn't because Emperor Jingsheng forgot Xu Qianxue's age, but rather an implication that he was getting old and it was time for him to retire!

Ignoring the distraught Xu Qianxue standing there, Emperor Jingsheng calmly looked at the others present, no longer keeping them in suspense, and said with a hint of excitement:

"Yulin City almost fell because the Marquis of Ji'an abandoned the city and fled. Fortunately, Jia Zijie, Niu Jizong and others led light cavalry to arrive in time."

"They led our Han elite soldiers to fight to the death, and defeated more than 50,000 enemy troops, killed the Northern Yuan commander-in-chief Toghtoa Bukha, and captured the Northern Yuan prince Bayar."

"After overcoming numerous hardships, they finally managed to turn the tide and prevent the tragic end of Yulin City's fall and the loss of its inhabitants."

"In this battle, Jia Zijie took the lead, beheading enemy generals and capturing flags, and led his elite Han army to kill and wound more than 20,000 Northern Yuan soldiers."

"Not only did we completely defeat the invading Northern Yuan army, but we also greatly enhanced the military prestige of our Great Han!"

After Emperor Jingsheng uttered these words, the hall fell silent.

Only then did everyone realize why Emperor Jingsheng had taken his anger out on Xu Qianxue—it turned out that his flattery had backfired.

However, no one had time to pay attention to Xu Qianxue at the moment; they were more alarmed by the information revealed in Emperor Jingsheng's words.

How much time has it been?

The Northern Yuan army of 80,000 has been defeated!

That's way too fast!

According to Emperor Jingsheng, Jia Jing and his men must have traveled day and night, and just as they arrived in Yulin, they encountered a great battle, yet they were still able to defeat the many with the few and achieve a great victory!

This is simply unbelievable!

Standing in the hall, Xu Qianxue, who was somewhat lost in thought, was so startled that he almost dropped the jade tablet in his hand, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.

So... they won? Or did that brat Jia Jing win?

How could it be so fast?

Wang Ziteng's face was also full of incomprehension. This... didn't Jia Jing only bring two thousand light cavalry?

How could such a small force defeat a Northern Yuan army of over 50,000? Is the Northern Yuan army really that weak?

He admitted that the Ba Shang camp had indeed taken on a new look after the reorganization, and now showed signs of becoming a strong army.

But the time is still short, and they are not heavenly soldiers or generals, so how can they have such combat power?

Zhang Tingyu's droopy eyelids suddenly opened, his eyes filled with surprise.

Although he had just thought that there might be other reasons behind this battle, he was at most thinking that Jia Jing's timely rescue had prevented Yulin from being captured by the Northern Yuan.

He couldn't believe that Jia Jing could defeat the Northern Yuan army of more than 50,000 men with only 2,000 light cavalry, and even kill generals and seize flags, achieving victory in no time!

This swift victory is already somewhat beyond the realm of common sense!

Historically, there have been numerous examples of battles where 800 defeated 100,000, 20,000 defeated 420,000, 30,000 defeated 560,000, and 80,000 defeated 800,000.

But those all require specific tactical plans or favorable timing and location, and take a lot of time. You're doing this way too fast!

Zhang Tingyu's face immediately fell with worry. If Jia Jing had achieved such military merits again, who in the court would be able to control him in the future?

Wang Ziteng frowned, a hint of doubt in his expression, and stepped forward to report:

"Your Majesty! Is this carrier pigeon message reliable?"

Wang Ziteng could hardly believe such a result, nor could he believe that victory could be achieved so quickly. He even doubted the authenticity of the military report.

Sending messages by carrier pigeon is not like a proper newspaper.

At this time, there were no heads or other evidence of the battle captured, and Prince Teng subconsciously thought that Jia Jing might have lied about his military achievements in order to please the emperor.

Upon hearing Wang Ziteng's words, the others in the hall also became quite interested.

Xu Qianxue looked on with agreement, and Wang Ziteng asked the question that had been bothering him.

No matter how skilled you are, Jia Jing, there's no way you could be this fast!

Emperor Jingsheng remained silent, but Xia Shouzhong, standing to the side, his face darkening, stared intently at Prince Teng and said coldly:

"Minister Wang! This message sent by carrier pigeon bears the signatures and seals of Lord Niu, General Feng, and others, as well as the secret mark of our Imperial City Guard in Yulin."

"Does Lord Wang suspect that we, along with Lord Niu and so many others, colluded with Marquis Jingwu to falsify military intelligence and deceive His Majesty?"

"Furthermore, the reports from the Northwest, the heads of the captured Northern Yuan soldiers, and the head of Toghtoa Bukha are already on their way to the capital."

"Is there any need to lie about something that will soon be clear?"

Xia Shouzhong's words sent a chill down Wang Ziteng's spine. Xia Shouzhong was Emperor Jingsheng's most trusted inner minister, and he dared not offend him.

I know that I can only sleep peacefully when Shouzhong is in power.

It would be absurd to say that the Imperial City Guard, Niu Jizong, and others colluded with Jia Jing to falsify military intelligence!

Falsely reporting military information is no small crime; who would risk their life and fortune to do such a thing!

Besides, the results of the battle are already on the way to Beijing. At this point, it would be pointless to report false military information as soon as it is exposed!

Jia Jing's entire family was in the capital, so he had no reason to lie about military intelligence.

But was this victory really real?

This was even more unacceptable to Wang Ziteng!

Xia Shouzhong's words left Wang Ziteng's face turning red and then pale, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Actually, the fact that the front line was able to win so quickly is not bad news for Wang Ziteng.

Not to mention that the imperial court's victory over the Northern Yuan has stabilized the country and greatly enhanced its national prestige!

Take, for example, the matter of reorganizing the Beijing garrison, which he has been thinking about all day long. After this victory, it can be put on the agenda as soon as possible!

However, Wang Ziteng still felt somewhat uncomfortable and couldn't accept the news that Jia Jing had won such a great victory again.

You should know that he originally thought that after he became the Minister of War, he could rival Jia Jing, or even surpass him.

Before they could even begin to reorganize their troops, the other side had already achieved another great feat!

He knew very well that once the official report from the Northwest and the box containing Toghtog Bukha's head were sent to the capital, the imperial court's reward would be substantial.

Given His Majesty's trust in Jia Jing and his immense contributions in capturing enemy generals and rescuing the enemy from a critical situation, it is almost certain that he will be promoted and ennobled after this battle.

Such military achievements might even lead to a promotion of several ranks, truly reaching the pinnacle of a minister's position!

Even though Jia Jing is still young, His Majesty intends to protect him, and a title should not be lightly bestowed.

But according to his estimation, once the battle in the Northwest is completely won, Jia Jing will at least be granted the title of First-Class Marquis, or even Duke.

Jia Jing is only twenty-one years old. If he is granted the title of First-Rank Duke now, who will be able to rival him in the court in the future?

After Wang Ziteng was refuted by Xia Shouzhong, none of the officials in the hall doubted the authenticity of the report.

However, the ministers were still shocked and bewildered by Jia Jing's swift victory.

After a long while, Gong Dingzi, the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Preserving Harmony, was the first to come to his senses and stepped forward to offer his congratulations:

"Your Majesty! With Marquis Jingwu here after this battle, the Northwest is safe!"

"It is also evident that the reorganization of the Ba Shang camp has been remarkably effective, and the combat strength of 100,000 troops has been achieved."

"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have worked diligently to govern the country. Last year you achieved a great victory over the puppet Qing in Liaodong, and now you have achieved another great victory over the Northern Yuan."

"This is all thanks to Your Majesty's wise decisions and proper personnel management, which has enabled the soldiers to fight bravely and secure our border towns. This is truly a blessing for the nation and a fortune for all the people."

"Your Majesty's illustrious military achievements rival those of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Chengzu. You are truly a restorer of our Great Han Dynasty. I congratulate Your Majesty! I congratulate our Great Han Dynasty!"