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

Emperor Jingsheng's expression was indifferent; he did not wish to continue the argument and decisively said;

"Since Fang Qing has nothing further to say, then this matter is settled!"

"The Marquis of Champion, Jia Jing, was promoted to the first-class Duke of Jing, and was also promoted to the second-rank General of the Champion Army, and the Pillar of State. He was also bestowed with a python robe and a jade belt in recognition of his merits in the Northwest."

Ministers: "..."

From a second-rank general? Not a regular second-rank general?

The officer was only promoted one rank, which is good news!

Therefore, although His Majesty trusts Jia Jing, he still leaves some room for maneuver, and he has not completely ignored what we said.

As for the python robe and jade belt, they are ultimately just honors.

Although it was a bit excessive, compared to the title of Duke of Jing, it didn't stir any ripples in the hearts of the officials.

The officials in the hall were secretly pleased, and their expressions softened. The chief minister, Chen Tingjing, was the first to step forward and bow.

"Your Majesty's wisdom and insight are beyond our comprehension!"

The other officials also bowed and said:

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Emperor Jingsheng sat on his throne, looking at the assembled officials below, his face utterly calm.

The reason he didn't further promote Jia Jing to the rank of General of the Cavalry, a second-grade official, wasn't because he wanted to leave room for maneuver.

After all, in his mind, Jia Jing was someone who could be appointed as a first-rank general.

However, considering the political landscape after Jia Jing's return to the capital, it was not advisable to let him offend all the important civil and military officials because of the issue of rewards.

In his view, apart from Prince Bei Jing, Shui Rong, among the ministers standing here discussing matters today, probably none of them truly support his plan to re-enfeoff Jia Jing.

Moreover, the concerns of the ministers, including Zhang Tingyu, were not without reason. They were unaware of the matter of the virtuous minister who appeared in the dream, and naturally wanted to check and balance him.

Since the people are not united and the time is not right, forcibly bestowing titles and rewards will only lead to serious infighting within the court, which will not be conducive to the court's implementation of new policies and other tasks.

It's better to wait and see; things will work out eventually, and everything will fall into place when the time is right.

He is not in a hurry...

After the officials rose, Emperor Jingsheng continued:

"Let's also discuss the rewards for Niu Jizong, Feng Tang, Zhang Yi, Zhou Yingyuan and others."

"They have also made great contributions and achieved many merits in the Northwest campaign under Zijie."

"According to the military merit list sent by Zijie, his rank should be raised accordingly. All of you may speak freely..."

Niu Jizong and others were promoted from earl to marquis, which was also an important promotion of Wu Xun's rank, requiring the deliberation of the court's senior officials.

…………

The Rongguo Mansion, back garden.

The sky in May is a clear, bright blue.

Spring departs late and summer arrives quickly in Shenjing.

As soon as May arrives, the flowers in the garden bloom one after another, as if they're having a market.

In the garden, the women of the Rongguo Mansion gathered in a pavilion, chatting and laughing as they admired the flowers.

Ever since Jia Jing sent his first report of victory back to the capital and was granted the title of First-Class Champion Marquis, the Rongguo Mansion has become a bustling place with visitors.

From the four great families of Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue, to the founding lineage of the state, including the Prince of Beijing, the Prince of Nan'an, the Duke of Zhenguo Niu family, the General of Divine Martial Arts Feng family, the Duke of Liguo, the Duke of Zhiguo, and the Duke of Xiuguo, etc.

Then there were the military generals from Liaodong, the Northwest, or Bashang, such as the Nian family and the Yue family, as well as some civil officials, who all came to the Rongguo Mansion to offer their congratulations through Jia Zheng's connections.

People were constantly sending invitations, gifts, and trying to build relationships, from morning till night.

The noble ladies practically wore down the threshold of the Jia family mansion, all hoping to find a good match with the Marquis of Champion.

Later, with successive victories in the northwest and the destruction of the Northern Yuan, the capital was shaken, and it became inevitable that Jia Jing would be granted the title of Duke.

The Jia mansion was bustling with activity, with all sorts of people visiting every day.

Those two weeks or so were arguably the most bustling period in the Rongguo Mansion in recent decades, with its prestige reaching a level that even the late Duke Rongguo couldn't match during his lifetime.

Even when the servants and stewards of the Jia family went out to buy things, some merchants refused to accept money as soon as they heard that they were from the Marquis of Champion's mansion.

Later, Tan Chun and others felt that it was too flamboyant and quite inappropriate, and after discussing it with Grandmother Jia and Jia Zheng.

Using the excuse that the head of the family was away on a military campaign, they blocked the main gate of the Rongguo Mansion with an iron halberd and stopped receiving guests. This situation improved slightly.

Of course, it's only slightly better.

Although they no longer receive strangers, they still cannot turn away relatives, friends, and old acquaintances when they come to visit.

Today, because it is Aunt Xue's birthday, the whole family had lunch together.

At Grandmother Jia's suggestion, they enjoyed a pleasant stroll in the garden and admired the flowers.

Since Jia Jing of Ningguo Mansion passed away a while ago, Rongguo Mansion has not had such a collective celebration for a long time.

However, Grandmother Jia was getting old, and after strolling around the garden for a while, she could no longer walk.

Surrounded by maids like Yuanyang, he sat down to rest on a high couch that had been specially moved from the pavilion.

Sitting to the left of Grandmother Jia at this time were Madam Xing, Madam Wang, Aunt Xue, Qin Keqing, Sister Feng, and others.

Sitting to the right of Grandmother Jia were young ladies such as Sanchun, Daiyu, Baochai, and Xiangyun.

In addition, sitting to the left and right of Grandmother Jia were Jia Yuanchun and Nian Shilan, who had recently returned from the palace. Beside Nian Shilan was a smiling noblewoman.

Jia Yuanchun was brought out of the palace by Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang in early March.

At that time, the second victory report from the Northwest had just arrived in the capital. When Empress Zhou heard that Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang wanted to bring Yuan Chun home for a family reunion, she immediately agreed.

He petitioned Emperor Jingsheng to confer upon Yuan Chun the title of Fourth-Rank Township Lady, citing her many years of service and meritorious service in the palace.

After obtaining Emperor Jingsheng's consent, he was bestowed with a great deal of gold, silver, and silk, and was rewarded with a crimson robe and a brocade embroidered with magpies, thus returning to the Jia family in glory.

According to the Han Dynasty system,

The daughter of a prince was granted the title of Princess, a rank equivalent to a high-ranking official.

The daughter of the Prince of the County was granted the title of County Princess, holding the same rank as the Prince of the County.

The granddaughter of the Prince of the County was named the Lady of the County, a rank equivalent to the second grade.

The great-granddaughter of the Prince of the Commandery was made a county lady, holding a rank equivalent to the third grade.

The great-granddaughter of the Prince of the County was made a Lady of the Township, holding a rank equivalent to the fourth grade.

The title of Lady of the Township that Jia Yuanchun received was partly due to the favor she received from serving the Empress for many years.

More often than not, it was because Jia Jing had just made great military achievements and was thus rewarded, which can be considered as gaining status because of his brother.

At this moment, Yuan Chun sat calmly to the left of Grandmother Jia, while Nian Shilan sat to the right of Grandmother Jia.

Nian Shilan wore a light blue jacket made of Hangzhou silk with a subtle pattern, embroidered with a few understated plum blossom branches, the stitches fine but inconspicuous.

She has the typical appearance of a woman from Jiangnan, with a full and round face, exuding a gentle innocence.

Her eyebrows were curved, and the corners of her eyes drooped slightly. Even when she was standing quietly, she had a delicate and pitiful appearance.

Her nose was small and straight, which made her face look even more delicate, and her lips were a light pink.

Her skin wasn't the kind of pale white that comes from years of seclusion, but rather a radiant, glowing complexion.