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

Feng Ziying had already arrived outside the hall. Upon hearing the eunuch's summons, he hurriedly entered the hall.

"Your subject, Feng Ziying, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Feng Ziying arrived at the palace looking travel-worn, clearly having just arrived in the capital and been checking his military achievements at several offices in the Ministry of War, and had not yet returned home.

"Please rise, Minister Feng!" Emperor Jingsheng, with a rare smile on his face, hurriedly called for him to stand up.

Feng Ziying stood up, standing straight under the gaze of several ministers in purple robes, his eyes clear and upright, clearly possessing a unique demeanor.

As Zhang Tingyu and the others looked at the report of victory in their hands, they glanced at Feng Ziying in the hall.

Seeing Feng Ziying's spirited demeanor and composed demeanor, they all secretly admired her.

This is what a noble family of the Han Dynasty should be like, unlike Yang Rong, the son of the Duke of Cheng, who only knows how to bully men and women, and who is disgusting.

"Feng Qing has only been on the battlefield for a little over a year, yet he has already shed the pampered air of a wealthy young master and is exceptionally brave and valiant. It is evident that the battlefield truly tempers a person!" Emperor Jingsheng remarked with considerable emotion.

"While the Grand Secretaries are reading the military report, tell me in detail about this rare victory!"

"How exactly did Jia Qing manage to defeat the Qing army of 50,000 with only 10,000 men at the gates of Jinzhou? I'm extremely curious!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon receiving the order, Feng Ziying immediately began his story, starting with Jia Jing leading troops to defend Jinzhou City.

Feng Ziying was eloquent and a firsthand witness to this battle.

When he recounted the story, he did so with great vividness, making everyone present feel as if they were there.

"...At that time, the Qing army's fierce general Baturu Oktuha had already rushed to the south gate and was about to open the gate to let the army outside the city into the city...General Jia killed Oktuha with just one spear thrust..."

Then, with brilliant foresight, he anticipated that the Qing army would attack again, and turned the tables on them, killing several thousand Qing soldiers...

Once again, the entire city's troops were mobilized, and the city gates were opened for battle against the Qing army. General Jia took the lead, charging straight into the enemy's army of ten thousand men, and was invincible...

Ultimately, the Qing army was defeated by a pincer attack from both inside and outside. General Jia, standing on his horse, nearly two hundred paces away, drew his bow and shot an arrow that struck Fei Yanggu dead, causing the three-stone bow to snap on the spot...

As everyone in the hall listened to Feng Ziying's account, they were all secretly astonished.

With such formidable martial prowess and outstanding strategic acumen, he is truly a rare talent among generals in the Han Dynasty!

"Good! Good! Good!" Emperor Jingsheng listened with great interest and exclaimed "good" three times.

"He is skilled in martial arts, knowledgeable in military strategy, adept at commanding troops, proficient in military tactics, and capable of winning battles! Jia Jing is truly outstanding! He is indeed a fine son of our great Han Dynasty!" Emperor Jingsheng praised him repeatedly.

Upon hearing Emperor Jingsheng's praise, Duke Xu Ding of Zhao couldn't help but slightly change his expression.

Niu Jizong, on the other hand, was all smiles, feeling proud of himself.

Zhang Tingyu, Li Guangdi, Chen Tingjing, and the others remained calm, their eyes revealing no emotion.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name 12199.99]

Winning battles is certainly a good thing, but the real fear is that military generals will gain power and become arrogant and domineering...

Only Gong Dingzi bowed respectfully and spoke loudly:

"This victory is entirely due to Your Majesty's strategic planning and decisive action, as well as your tireless support for the frontline troops' supplies. Only with this unity of purpose could we achieve such a great triumph! I congratulate Your Majesty and the Great Han Dynasty!"

"Haha! You flatter me, Minister Gong! Although I am in the capital, I pray for the soldiers on the front lines every day..."

"But this victory was entirely due to the bravery of the soldiers on the front lines. It was their blood and lives that defeated the Qing army. It was their bravery, loyalty and courage that made me the one who benefited!" Emperor Jingsheng smiled and said solemnly.

These words impressed Feng Ziying, who was standing nearby. "The emperor is truly wise!"

"The soldiers' willingness to fight is certainly crucial! But Your Majesty's ability to recognize and appoint capable people is also undeniable! Both Nian Gengyao and Jia Jing were promoted at Your Majesty's insistence, and Your Majesty was also determined to fight in the court. How can this not be considered Your Majesty's brilliance!"

Gong Dingzi's expression was solemn as he argued his case forcefully!

Zhang Tingyu and others also shouted, "The Emperor is wise and benevolent!"

"Alright! I didn't ask you to boast! Such a great victory at the front deserves a reward!"

As the saying goes, "Without clear rewards and punishments, nothing can be accomplished! If rewards and punishments are clear, everything can proceed smoothly."

"Jia Jing has just achieved a great victory, defeating 50,000 Qing troops and beheading their commander. This is a truly remarkable achievement. What do you all think we should do to reward him?"

Emperor Jingsheng asked the crowd.

Although he had an idea in mind, he wanted to first get the opinions of his ministers.

Duke Xu Ding of Zhao spoke first;

"Jia Jing is still young. I believe he should be promoted one rank and granted the title of First-Class Baron to reward his contributions!"

An official is promoted one rank, that is, from the fifth rank to the fifth rank.

If one is granted the title of First-Class Baron, then it is also a fifth-rank title.

The Han dynasty's nobility system was divided into military nobility and noble nobility.

Military ranks are divided into king, duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron.

Among them, the title of King is the highest rank, the title of Duke is the first rank, the title of Marquis is the second rank, the title of Earl is the third rank, the title of Viscount is the fourth rank, and the title of Baron is the fifth rank.

Noble ranks are divided into first-class general, second-class general, third-class general, fourth-class general, and fifth-class general.

The rank of a first-class general is equivalent to that of a third-rank official, the rank of a second-class general is equivalent to that of a fourth-rank official, the rank of a third-class general is equivalent to that of a fifth-rank official, and so on.

Military ranks could only be conferred upon those who had rendered meritorious service, and were hereditary. Those who held military titles could have halberds erected in front of their doors, possess personal guards and fiefs, and wield military power.

The title of noble nobility means that the family will be rich and powerful for generations. Apart from having a rank that sounds nice, the title has no real power and is just an empty title that will be passed down through generations.

According to the system established by Emperor Taizu of the Han Dynasty, military ranks could not be conferred without military merit, except for members of the direct line of the imperial family.

In addition, the heir to a military rank must have military merit to inherit the rank; otherwise, it will be converted to a noble rank. This was also to prevent the nobility from becoming corrupt.

Therefore, this is why Jia She inherited only the minor title of First-Class General, instead of the First-Class Duke of Rongguo from his father, Jia Daishan.

As for why the Duke of Cao was a military rank, it is said that his family made great contributions during the reign of Emperor Chengzu and was given special favor by the emperor.

Niu Jizong, standing to the side, retorted after hearing what Duke Zhao, Xu Ding, said:

"Isn't the official rank you mentioned by the Duke a bit too lenient? I remember a few days ago, we only won a minor victory against the Annamite tribes in the southwest, killing no more than a thousand enemies, yet the Duke still strongly advocated for the general Zhu Chang to be granted the rank of Third-Class Viscount."

"How come Jia Jing achieved such a great victory against the puppet Qing forces, losing tens of thousands of men and even beheading the enemy commander, yet the Duke only offered him the title of First-Class Baron? Could it be that the puppet Qing are no match for Annam? Or is it because Zhu Chang is the Duke's nephew?"

Niu Jizong's eyes betrayed his mockery.

Although Duke Zhao was a duke, Niu Jizong was not afraid at all.

His family was also of ducal rank, no less than that of the Duke of Zhao.

How did the Duke of Zhao obtain his title of Duke?

Ironically, it wasn't because they won a battle or earned military merit.

Rather, it was because he and the retired emperor were captured by the Qing army a few years earlier, and because the retired emperor had received much care within Qing territory,

Afterwards, he returned to the capital with the retired emperor, and was trusted by the retired emperor as a confidant. He was praised for his meritorious service in protecting the emperor and saving him, and was granted the title of Duke of Zhao from his ancestors.

Therefore, Duke Zhao was merely a favored minister of the retired emperor, which is why he was able to become the commander of the Five Armies and come to the Qianqing Hall to discuss matters with everyone else. He did not have any real ability or military merit.

Niu Jizong was certainly not afraid of him.

"I suggest that Jia Jing be promoted to the rank of General of the Palace Guard, a fourth-rank official, and granted the title of Viscount of the First Class, in recognition of his merits."

The Niu family, the family of Zhenguo Gong, and the Jia family were old friends, so Niu Jizong naturally wanted to fight for Jia Jing's interests.

Now that a talented person has finally emerged from the founding lineage, we can't let others bully him.