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

"The four marquises are indeed suitable candidates. According to the intelligence gathered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the four marquises privately hold you in high esteem and have great respect for you."

"They have witnessed your martial prowess firsthand, and you were even granted a marquisate because of your merit in this Northwest campaign. They admire you from the bottom of their hearts."

"Lord Niu even often said in private that wherever your command flag points, that's where his sword will be pointed."

"Lord Zhou was saved by you at the foot of Yulin City, and Lord Feng almost died in battle when attacking the Helan tribe. It was also thanks to your help that he was able to save his life."

"They have all received great kindness from you and are absolutely devoted to you."

"In addition, I have already planted Jinyiwei spies around them, just in case."

"However, what I'm worried about is whether Your Majesty will be able to appoint them as commanders of the border towns as you wish?"

"According to news from the capital, there are quite a few censors and officials in the court impeaching you, my lord, for possessing too much military power, which is quite dangerous!"

"Especially after His Majesty conferred upon you the title of First-Class Duke of Jing, the old faction of civil officials in the court was in uproar and had many objections to this conferment."

"The retired Grand Secretary Xu Qianxue has repeatedly compared you to Huo Guang and Sima Yi in private banquets, saying that military men are a scourge to the country and will surely bring profound disaster to the Han Dynasty!"

"They also say that the drought in many provinces of the Han Dynasty is due to the presence of treacherous officials like you in the court, which is why Heaven has issued a warning."

Zhuque's expression carried a hint of worry and resentment. As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he was well aware of the undercurrents swirling in the capital city.

Although the Duke held greater power and a higher rank, he also faced more and wider enemies and crises in private.

Once we return to the capital, who knows how many open and hidden attacks we'll face!

Even His Majesty probably harbors some suspicion and apprehension towards the Grand General!

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing remained calm, his expression unchanged, and chuckled lightly:

"A tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind; a person who excels above others will be criticized by the masses!"

"It's perfectly normal for us to have some gossip after building this business!"

"We don't need to worry about these people for now! We should proceed at our own pace, accumulate strength, do more practical things that benefit the country and the people, and make steady progress."

"The imperial court is already implementing new policies and purging corruption among officials. These old cliques of civil officials are like grasshoppers in autumn; they won't be able to hop around for long!"

"As for His Majesty, I have already made arrangements. He will only trust us more, so you don't need to worry!"

Jia Jing's words conveyed a calm demeanor in the face of attacks from the old civil service faction and absolute confidence in Emperor Jingsheng.

As for why they had so much confidence in Emperor Jingsheng, it was naturally due to the system's rewards.

Since he was promoted to the third rank, the system has stopped rewarding him with martial arts inheritance or trusted troops to enhance his personal strength.

Instead, he was unexpectedly rewarded with the title "Wise Minister Who Responds to Dreams," which has a halo-like effect.

As for the specific effect, it was to use the prophecy of Emperor Taizu and his dream to shape him into a minister who would restore the Han Dynasty, which greatly increased Emperor Jingsheng's trust in him.

Jia Jing was quite surprised by the system's reward!

The main problem is that he doesn't know what the system's intention is in assigning him the identity of a wise minister in a dream.

Was it to facilitate his continued promotion? Or to prevent him from rebelling? Or was it simply a random choice?

But in any case, this reward is indeed what he needs right now.

He never intended to start a rebellion.

His various plans and schemes were more about benefiting the world while leaving himself a way out.

Now that the system has given him the identity of a minister who will revitalize the nation, he can undoubtedly be more at ease to carry out his career in a bold and decisive manner, reducing his worries!

This is why he dared to propose building a tomb for martyrs, commemorate fallen soldiers, and submit a memorial recommending Niu Jizong and others to serve as commanders of border towns.

Without the reward of the wise minister who appeared in the dream, he would have been even more cautious and discreet.

They would not easily take actions that could arouse Emperor Jingsheng's suspicion.

Of course, he also knew that the aura of the "Dream-Responding Wise Minister" could increase Emperor Jingsheng's level of trust.

But that doesn't mean he can act recklessly and do whatever he wants.

Putting everything else aside, if he were to rebel, even with his status as a wise minister who appeared in a dream, Emperor Jingsheng would no longer trust him.

Therefore, he knows when to keep a low profile and be cautious. He can simply be more unrestrained in his actions and doesn't need to worry about too many things anymore.

Hearing Jia Jing say this, Zhuque felt somewhat relieved and smiled:

"So it turns out that you had this planned all along. I was wondering why His Majesty would do something so unusual this time and bestow upon you the title of First-Class Duke of Jing."

"They even bestowed four marquises upon the Northwest at once, without any intention of checks and balances or precautions. Just like last year, when Nian Gengyao should have been granted the title of duke..."

At this point, Zhuque paused, as if thinking of something, hesitated for a moment, and then said:

"My lord! Nian Gengyao has sent another letter today!"

As Zhuque spoke, she took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Jia Jing with both hands, her expression somewhat strange.

It's not unusual that Jia Jing, who originally served under Nian Gengyao in Liaodong, occasionally corresponded with him.

But Zhuque knew that this was the ninth time Nian Gengyao of Liaodong had written to his master during this period!

Every time Nian Gengyao won a battle in the Northwest, he would receive a letter from Nian Gengyao.

Moreover, without exception, the contents of the letters were all about celebrating the victory and reminiscing about the past in Liaodong.

They would always mention that they had a younger sister who was of marriageable age and wanted to marry the Duke to strengthen their family ties.

Although Zhuque had met many officials from the Northwest who openly or secretly wanted to marry their master, Nian Gengyao was the only one as eager as him.

This is no longer about wanting to marry the Duke; it has turned into an urgent "pressure to get married"!

Jia Jing accepted the envelope handed to him by Zhu Que. On it were the five characters "To be opened by the Duke of Jing" in Nian Gengyao's own handwriting.

His brushstrokes are vigorous and quite impressive.

Nian Gengyao was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and came from a family with a strong scholarly tradition, so it's quite normal for him to have such literary talent.

Jia Jing frowned but did not open the letter.

He held the envelope, glanced at it only once, and then placed it on the table, pressing it against a corner of the map.

"There are quite a few people concerned about my marriage these days! Zhuque, tell me, should I arrange a marriage with the Nian family?"

Jia Jing remained calm, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

During this period, Nian Gengyao was not the only person who wrote to him about marriage.

People including Yue Zhongqi, Niu Jizong, Prince Bei Jing, and even some civil officials all mentioned, intentionally or unintentionally, that they had eligible candidates in their families.

Jia Jing did not give a definite answer to these people's probing questions about marriage.

Now, as the top military commander of the Han Dynasty, he holds the power of hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

His marriage was no longer a matter of ordinary personal feelings, but a political signal concerning the state of the court, and it could not be taken lightly!