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

Inside the restaurant,

Prince Yi, fanning himself with a folding fan, spoke slowly with an air of confidence:

"However, we are not doing nothing. Although we are at a disadvantage right now, it is better to remain still than to take any action."

"However, our dynasty has produced a virtuous general like Jia Zijie, who has made great contributions to the country. How can we allow those censors who only know how to talk nonsense to wantonly slander the country's virtuous minister?"

"I think the Duke of Zhao could contact the Marquis of Yongjia, the Marquis of Nanxiong, and others, and submit a memorial to Jia Zijie to speak on his behalf and give him some support."

"We support the current emperor's bestowal of the title of First-Class Duke upon him; how can the court treat a meritorious official poorly!"

"By doing the opposite! Given today's suspicious nature, they might actually be more wary of Jia Zijie or even dissatisfied with him."

"If the emperor and his ministers become suspicious of each other, perhaps that will be our opportunity to win over Jia Zijie!"

Zhu Huan learned the art of rulership from a young age and knew very well that no emperor would completely trust any one minister!

No matter how great his achievements, how strong his abilities, or how reliable his loyalty, if a subject's existence threatens the imperial power, he will eventually face elimination.

"How can one tolerate another snoring beside one's bed?" This was determined by the emperor's solitary and isolated position.

Only when Emperor Jingsheng and his minister Jia Zijie distrusted each other could the emperor, as supporters of the retired emperor, have the opportunity to win over Jia Jing, a peerless general, and thus have the chance to seek the restoration of the retired emperor and seize power.

This can be considered a well-intentioned but not overt strategy!

You think you're so great?

Then I'll praise you, lift you to the sky, and then wait for you to fall heavily down!

Zhu Huan finished speaking and sighed silently.

If it weren't for their differing stances, he wouldn't have been willing to scheme against Jia Jing like this.

Because he held a certain appreciation for Jia Jing, a man who had made great contributions to the Han Dynasty, and perhaps such a capable minister should not have died in the shadows of political struggle!

He secretly made a decision in his heart: he would help Jia Jing whenever he could in the future!

After all, it's unrealistic to expect to deal with powerful enemies like the pseudo-Qing and Hunxie by relying on people like the Duke of Cao and the Duke of Zhao!

Upon hearing this, Duke Cao's expression changed, realizing he had come up with a foolish idea. He quickly tried to salvage the situation with a smile:

"If you want to contract something, you must first expand it; if you want to weaken something, you must first strengthen it; if you want to abolish something, you must first promote it; if you want to take something away, you must first give it."

"Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent and skillful; this move of feigning retreat to advance is truly brilliant!"

However, the Duke of Zhao, standing to the side, still looked grim.

Even though he knew this was just a ploy by the Prince of Yi to sow discord, he was still reluctant to contact Wu Xun of the Jingnan Campaign to speak up for Jia Jing and give him support.

Firstly, he sensed in Prince Yi's tone that he valued and wanted to win over the young Jia Jing, and he worried that even if the Emperor Emeritus or Prince Yi ascended to the throne, they would still rely heavily on Jia Jing.

Since being scolded to the point of vomiting blood and losing his official position by Jia Jing, Duke Zhao has been unemployed at home for many days.

Not only has the once bustling Duke's Mansion lost its former glory, but its reputation has also plummeted.

He was often ridiculed behind his back as a "servile wretch, a heartless and dog-like person," and all of this was thanks to Jia Jing!

Therefore, Duke Zhao already harbored deep hatred for Jia Jing and was only thinking about taking revenge on Jia Jing severely after the Emperor Emeritus ascended the throne, even to the point of wiping out the entire Jia family.

I never expected that His Highness Prince Yi would be so fond of Jia Jing's martial prowess.

Secondly, he believed that Prince Yi's scheme to sow discord was too simplistic. He and the other generals of the Jingnan Campaign were from two different factions and had a grudge against Jia Jing.

If someone suddenly steps forward to defend and support him at this moment, who wouldn't know there's something fishy going on?

After a moment's thought, the Duke of Zhao slowly said with a complex expression:

"Your Highness's intention is good, but the Marquis of Nanxiong and others hate Jia Jing to the bone because of the matter involving the Duke of Cheng and the Marquis of Linchuan, so I'm afraid they won't agree to this."

The Duke of Zhao did not express his reluctance, but instead politely declined on behalf of the Marquis of Nanxiong and others.

By listening carefully to the underlying meaning, Prince Yi, Zhu Zhu, naturally discerned the hostility directed at Jia Jing in the words of the Duke of Zhao.

He smiled and comforted her:

"Jia Jing is now quite powerful. If Father Emperor wants to regain the throne, he must unite all forces that can be united."

"Even if we try to win him over, it's just a temporary measure. Duke Zhao and Duke Cao, you are the Emperor's most trusted and trusted ministers from beginning to end!"

"Furthermore, Jia Jing's martial prowess is truly terrifying. I heard from the Northwest that he can take the enemy's head from among ten thousand troops."

"For such a person, you either have to win him over and divide him, or you have to kill him with one blow."

"Otherwise, it's best not to show hostility easily, or you'll invite his retaliation, which would be troublesome!"

After saying this, the Prince of Yi did not dwell on the topic. Instead, he pondered for a moment, then changed the subject, saying:

"Jia Jing's matter is not urgent for now. The main reason for inviting the two dukes here today is to discuss matters concerning the Prince of Nan'an and the situation in Jiangnan."

Duke Cao was taken aback, his eyes flickered, and he said:

"The Prince of Nan'an? Wasn't he recently transferred back to the capital to serve as the Right Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies and concurrently as the Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent? What happened to him?"

A few days ago, Emperor Jingsheng transferred the Prince of Nan'an back to the capital and appointed him as the Right Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies Commandery, while Prince Shui Rong of Beijing was appointed as the Assistant Commander of the Five Armies Commandery.

At the same time, Fang Congzhe and Xiong Cilu were granted the title of Grand Secretary and appointed to the cabinet to assist in governance.

This major personnel reshuffle caused a great shock and uproar in the imperial court.

However, it is clear to everyone that Emperor Jingsheng's actions were a preparation for balancing the court and implementing new policies and strengthening the military.

Over the years, the Prince of Nan'an has made numerous inspections and campaigns in the southeast and southwest, achieving many military exploits. He is the only second-rank Jianwei General among the court's military officers.

He was transferred back to the Five Military Commissions to oversee the overall military reorganization in the south.

Fang Congzhe and Xiong Cili were the leaders of the Zhejiang Party and the Chu Party, respectively.

Emperor Jingsheng's decision to bring the two men into the cabinet was clearly intended to appease the people and reduce resistance to the implementation of new policies in Jiangnan and Huguang.

Prince Zhu Hui of Yi frowned, a deep look appearing on his handsome face as he spoke:

"I have received news from the Emperor that after the reorganization of the Beijing Garrison, it is highly likely that the Prince of Nan'an will be appointed to command the Beijing Garrison troops."

"Now that the Ba Shang camp has fallen into Jia Zijie's hands, Father has asked us to find a way to take control of the Jing garrison."

"Currently, we only control a portion of the Imperial Guards and the Five City Garrison in Shenjing, which makes us feel uneasy."

"As for the Jiangnan region, Gong Dingzi, as the Governor-General of Southern Zhili and Imperial Commissioner, has been implementing new policies in Jiangnan these past few months with a tough approach."

"Officials and gentry from Jiangnan wrote to the Emperor, saying that Gong Dingzi has caused great resentment among the people of Jiangnan, and asking if we could inform the local garrisons and take some action..."