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

"It's hard to say about his official rank. Jing-ge is still young, only twenty years old, and he's already a fifth-rank military officer. You know, Bao-yu's father was only a fifth-rank assistant minister in the Ministry of Works."

"According to the military officer system of our Han Dynasty, it is more difficult for military officers to be promoted than for civil officials."

"The highest rank is the Grand Marshal of the Army and Generals of the Realm. This position is usually held by the Emperor himself when he leads an expedition. He can command millions of troops and generals across the land."

"The highest rank is that of a Grand General, a position usually held by a prince or crown prince, and rarely by a court official."

"The second rank includes General of the Cavalry, General of the Guards, and Grand General of the Three Dukes, which are the highest official positions that a general can hold in his lifetime."

"Back then, our Duke Jia was a second-rank general in the Imperial Guard, in charge of the defense of the capital. He could command hundreds of thousands of troops to fight against the enemy on the battlefield."

"The third rank is equivalent to the four generals who conquer, four generals who pacify, four generals who secure, and four generals who bring peace. Such military generals can be stationed in one region and command 100,000 troops. The General who pacifies Liaodong, Nian Gengyao, is a third-rank General who brings peace."

"The fourth rank is equivalent to the title of General of the Household or the miscellaneous title of General of the Household. Generally, they can lead 30,000 to 50,000 troops as a regional commander. This is also the high-ranking military officer of our Han Dynasty."

"As for the fifth rank, that's a captain! Jing-ge'er's position is Tiger Captain."

"However, his title of captain is very special. It is the first of the eight major titles of captain, which is usually given to a fifth-rank military officer. He can lead more than 10,000 soldiers in the field, which is considered a mid-to-high-ranking military officer."

"As for the military officer positions in other places, such as guerrilla commander, brigade commander, garrison commander, admiral, general, and military governor, they are more complicated. They generally have specific duties, which I won't go into detail about here!"

"Although Jingge'er won the battle this time, considering that he only commands a little over ten thousand men..."

"I estimate at most they've defeated over ten thousand enemies and annihilated a few thousand. I reckon they'll get a promotion, reaching the fifth rank would be pretty good!"

"A twenty-year-old military officer of the fifth rank with real power is extremely rare even among the noble families of the entire capital city."

Grandmother Jia spoke with considerable emotion.

When Jia Jing left the mansion, she told him not to return until he had accomplished anything.

Given Jia Jing's background as an eighth-rank official, it was assumed that it would take at least five or ten years for him to achieve this.

Only by accumulating experience and achieving victories on the battlefield can one be promoted to a fifth-rank military officer and then return to the Jia family mansion.

By then, she will be over eighty years old or even deceased, so she won't be afraid of Jia Jing coming back to cause trouble for her!

Who would have thought that Jia Jing would achieve merit so quickly, rising to the fifth rank in just two years?

He might even be promoted further, since the battle in Liaodong isn't over yet!

If she comes back in a while, she'll have a real headache!

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia glanced at the well-behaved Jia Baoyu in her arms and couldn't help but think to herself that her good grandson was the best, so blessed, obedient and sensible.

Listening to Grandmother Jia's speculation that Jia Jing might be promoted to the fifth rank and granted the title of viscount or baron,

Although everyone present had some guesses, they were still very surprised.

"There are so many intricacies involved in the promotion of a military officer! If it weren't for the fact that the old lady is so knowledgeable, I, a poor man, would have learned something new today..."

"If it weren't for your discerning eye in letting my third brother join the army, he wouldn't be where he is today! It's all thanks to the old lady's talent for nurturing people."

Fengjie's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but she still didn't forget to praise Grandmother Jia.

"I've always heard that the household is good at training maids and servants, and that every one of them is disciplined and reasonable."

"I never imagined that the children of this educational institution would have such effective methods, achieving success and rising to prominence at such a young age. Unlike my son, who's like a wild horse, always running amok..."

Aunt Xue, who was standing to the side, also smiled and praised Grandmother Jia, her expression indeed showing considerable emotion.

"His aunt doesn't need to worry. Boys mature later. He'll understand how hard it is for you parents when he grows up!"

Grandmother Jia smiled and comforted Aunt Xue.

She quite liked Aunt Xue, Lady Wang's younger sister.

Not to mention that the Jia and Xue families are old friends, even during the time Aunt Xue has been here...

I spend my days chatting and laughing with her, playing dominoes with her, which brings her a lot of joy.

Aunt Xue didn't really look down on Xue Pan; in her eyes, her own son was still the best of everyone, and no one else could compare.

The people in the hall then chimed in with laughter and chatter, taking advantage of the topic brought up by Grandmother Jia.

Only Jia Jing's own father, Jia She, stood to the side with a gloomy expression, feeling quite resentful:

That unfilial illegitimate son only enjoys his glory because of the legacy of his ancestors; he has no real ability whatsoever!

He had sent people to Liaodong several times on business, yet they had refused to meet with him; this was utterly outrageous…

It was at this moment that

The little boy standing guard at the entrance of Rongqing Hall was dressed in a bright red, festive jacket, his round, cheerful face beaming with a smile.

He jogged into the hall and relayed the message:

"Your Majesty, the steward said that the angel is already on his way and we should go to Rongxi Hall to prepare to receive the imperial decree!"

The young actor's loud voice silenced everyone in the hall.

Grandmother Jia nodded and addressed the crowd:

"The angel is arriving soon; there's no time to delay. Come with me to the Hall of Glory to await your orders!"

Rongxi Hall is the main hall of Rongguo Mansion. When an imperial edict arrives, it will be announced here.

"Yes, Grandmother!" Everyone agreed and followed Grandmother Jia toward Rongxi Hall.

……

Rongxi Hall

Grandmother Jia and the others knelt on the ground. Xia Shouzhong took out a scroll of imperial edict from a sandalwood gilded tray and read it aloud:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that the way to establish a nation lies in honoring virtue and rewarding merit; the key to appointing officials lies in selecting the virtuous and encouraging the capable."

You, Jia Jing, the Tiger-like Colonel, are inherently loyal and brave, and possess exceptional military skills. When he first joined the army, he distinguished himself in suppressing rebellions; later, as Commander-in-Chief, he further demonstrated his ability to secure the borders.

On the Liaodong battlefield, he was loyal, brave, resourceful, quick-witted, and decisive. He defended Jinzhou with an army of over ten thousand men, braving axes and arrows, and repeatedly thwarted the enemy's advance.

He repelled the Tartar invaders outside the city gates. He devised a brilliant plan to attack from both inside and outside the city. He personally donned armor and charged forward with arrows and stones, slaying generals and capturing flags, annihilating more than 30,000 enemy soldiers in a single battle.

He swiftly quelled the enemy's vanguard, boosting morale and achieving unparalleled merit among all the armies. Furthermore, he effectively reorganized the camps and pacified the soldiers, ensuring the peace and security of the borders. I am greatly pleased!

"Hereby, Jia Jing, the Tiger-like Colonel, is hereby appointed as a Fourth-Rank General of the Imperial Guard, and promoted to First-Class Viscount."

He commanded 20,000 cavalrymen from Liaodong, who were not under his command and sought opportunities to fight, thus demonstrating the prestige of our nation. He was thus granted an imperial edict.

You shall take command of the military, strictly enforce orders, and ensure that the army's might remains ever sharp and the Han dynasty's prestige spreads far and wide.

"I urge you to exert your utmost loyalty and unwavering dedication. By imperial decree, may your illustrious name be forever preserved. Furthermore, I bestow upon you a thousand catties of gold, ten fine horses, and one hundred precious stones!"

"My grandmother, Lady Jia Shi, a first-rank noblewoman, is a paragon of virtue, whose teachings are without fault and who has excelled in educating her grandson. She hereby bestows upon me a brocade robe, one hundred catties each of shad and venison, and a quantity of fresh fruit. Respectfully yours!"

Before the incense table, Xia Shouzhong, dressed in a thick black robe, finished reading the imperial edict with measured intonation, and then smiled broadly at Grandmother Jia, saying:

"Madam, please rise to receive the imperial decree!"

Grandmother Jia respectfully accepted the imperial decree and expressed her gratitude:

"Your subject, Jia Shi, on behalf of his grandson Jia Jing, thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace!"

His voice betrayed his excitement.

She never expected that Jia Jing would be granted the title of First-Class Servant and promoted to the rank of Fourth-Rank General.

This immediately made him a high-ranking military officer in the Han Dynasty!

Not to mention the title of "Piao Yao," a title known to everyone in the Wuxun family, much like the title of "Champion Marquis" among marquises, carrying extraordinary significance.

My grandson is truly favored by the emperor!