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

How so?

Emperor Jingsheng had originally considered the feelings of the civil officials and had already reduced Jia Jing's official position as a second-rank general of the cavalry.

This was to prevent court officials from getting caught up in factional struggles between civil and military officials, and to allow them to focus on practical matters such as the new policies of the court.

The results of it?

Civil officials often had private discussions, and it was one thing for them to slander important officials in the court.

Now, they are brazenly questioning the important border generals who are fighting bloody battles on the front lines in front of all the officials, without mentioning Jia Jing's merits at all, and constantly talking about suspicion and restricting his power!

He had clearly said that he would recall Jia Jing to the capital after this battle.

But these people were still so impatient that they even wanted to send civil officials to inspect the northwest border.

Isn't this just like reaping the rewards without ever having accomplished anything?

Emperor Jingsheng's expression darkened and became uncertain, and he even felt a sense of irritation.

Before Jia Jing appeared, the court officials had accomplished nothing in the face of the puppet Qing dynasty and the Northern Yuan.

When the imperial court and the nation were in decline, all they knew how to do all day was to advise surrender and negotiate peace, saying that the false Qing dynasty was invincible and that they should endure a moment of anger!

They spout grand theories, but few actually support the idea of ​​war!

Many civil officials even operated in a double-dealing manner, maintaining ties with the Dragon Head Palace on one hand while openly and covertly opposing the new policies they implemented on the other.

As a result, the new policies were implemented for several years, but their effectiveness was worrying, and the national treasury was so empty that even the emperor had to tighten his belt!

When the nation's discipline was weak, the people's livelihood was impoverished, and the Han Dynasty was beset by internal and external troubles, its fate hanging by a thread, most of the civil and military officials turned a blind eye, engaging in corruption and bribery, only considering their own interests.

Now, things are in a mess. The country has just started to improve, and the foreign enemy has just been defeated.

They actually dared to jump out and attack the meritorious officials who saved the country from peril!

They talk about checks and balances, about thinking about the country and its people, but only they know their true intentions!

Emperor Jingsheng could even say with certainty that if what happened in his dream was true, the Han Dynasty would fall into the hands of the false Qing.

Of all these civil and military officials, only a handful are willing to die for the Han dynasty!

If it weren't for Emperor Taizu bestowing upon him a wise minister through a dream, and if it weren't for his own efforts in promoting Jia Zijie from humble beginnings...

It is likely that the Han Dynasty had already lost its army and territory when the puppet Qing Dynasty invaded last year, and it is likely that the Han Dynasty was already on the verge of collapse when the three countries launched their joint attack this year.

At this point, the emperor may have already endured humiliation to negotiate peace and surrender, or he may not be far from hanging himself on Coal Hill!

Where would these people have the opportunity to speak so shamelessly and talk so empty words about national affairs!

In an instant, a thousand thoughts and ideas arose, causing Emperor Jingsheng to feel a chill in his heart, followed by a surge of resentment.

In the end, only one sentence remained in his mind: Factional strife ruins the country! Civil officials can all be killed, but Zijie cannot be humiliated!

Just as Emperor Jingsheng's mind raced, his face hardened with frost, his gaze turned fierce, and an eerie silence fell over the court.

Behind the beaded curtain on the left side of the hall, an eunuch rushed over, poked his head out, and quietly made a hand gesture to Xia Shouzhong, who was standing next to Emperor Jingsheng.

Upon seeing this, Xia Shouzhong first frowned.

Then his eyes lit up; this was the code he had set for his subordinates to use when reporting information.

Sometimes, even the eunuchs had to assess the situation and selectively report based on Emperor Jingsheng's mood!

We can't deliver bad news when Emperor Jingsheng is in a bad mood; that would be courting death.

At this moment, the eunuch's gesture meant that there was good news.

Xia Shouzhong quietly walked to the beaded curtain, took the paper with the message sent by carrier pigeon from the eunuch, glanced at it, and felt relieved!

It turned out to be good news from the Northwest!

Duke Jing of Jing annihilated the 60,000-strong army of Hunxie Kingdom in one battle and captured Tianshan.

Hunye Khan has agreed to the court's terms for peace, and Duke Jing will soon return to the capital.

Xia Shouzhong's actions, of course, did not escape the notice of Emperor Jingsheng and the officials in the palace, who saw him return with a joyful expression.

The ministers in the hall, who had been feeling uneasy because of Emperor Jingsheng's gloomy expression, secretly breathed a sigh of relief!

It is no exaggeration to say that Emperor Jingsheng's cold and stern expression just now frightened many court officials.

Many of them were seeing such a gloomy expression on Emperor Jingsheng's face for the first time, not the kind of gloom that comes from rage.

Instead, it felt like the oppressive weight before a storm, suffocating and overwhelming, almost like a tiger ready to devour its prey.

With consecutive victories at the front, the Emperor holds military power, and his imperial authority grows ever stronger!

Many civil officials exchanged glances secretly, their eyes filled with unspoken meaning.

"Daibatsu, what urgent news is coming from?"

Emperor Jingsheng suppressed his anger and asked expressionlessly.

Despite his emotions, Emperor Jingsheng prioritized state affairs above all else.

He knew that anything that could be delivered to the palace by the eunuchs at this time must be a report sent by the imperial messenger with an urgent message!

Upon hearing Emperor Jingsheng's question, Xia Shouzhong took a deep breath, clutched the note, walked back to the throne, bent down, and whispered a few words in Emperor Jingsheng's ear.

Everyone in the hall watched this scene quietly, waiting for the mystery to be revealed.

Some guessed it was good news from the Northwest, some guessed it was news from Jiangnan, some guessed it was raining in Henan, and some guessed it was from Liaodong; their thoughts varied.

After listening to Xia Shouzhong's words, Emperor Jingsheng remained silent for a moment.

Then he raised his head and glanced at the officials in the hall.

His face was expressionless, but his eyes lit up—not in a gentle way, but in a cold light, like the glow of a drawn blade in candlelight.

"Read this to all of you high-ranking officials sitting in your halls of power!"

Emperor Jingsheng's brows relaxed, and his voice remained calm and undisturbed.

Xia Shouzhong immediately straightened his expression, unfolded the paper in his hand, and spoke in a high-pitched yet loud voice:

"General of the Champion, Duke of Jing, Jia Jing, reported: In early June, I led 20,000 cavalry to fight against Hunxie's 60,000-strong army at the southern foot of Tianshan Mountain."

"The Hunxie general, Galedama, bravely led his troops into battle, raising a large banner in front of the formation. I shot him with an arrow, which pierced his chest, causing him to fall from his horse and die."

"The Hunye army was terrified, and their formation was thrown into chaos. I fired another arrow, this time at their banner. The flagpole was struck by the arrow and broke, and the banner fell to the ground."

"When the Hunxie army saw that their commander was dead and their banner had fallen, they collapsed and scattered."

"I led my troops to take advantage of the situation and launch a surprise attack, pursuing the fleeing enemy and beheading more than 20,000, capturing countless prisoners."

"After the battle, I wrapped the arrows I had shot in yellow silk and sent them to Hunye Khan to demonstrate the might of Heaven."

"The following day, Khan Hunye sent an envoy to surrender, having accepted all of our dynasty's terms of peace... We ceded the land south of the Tianshan Mountains, as well as Hami and Turpan, paid an indemnity of five million taels of silver, opened border towns for trade, and sent Prince Elinqin as a hostage."

"With the Northwest campaign concluded, I have made arrangements for the aftermath and will soon return to the capital."

"I have been away from the capital for several months, and my heart is filled with longing to return. Every time I look north from my tent, I am overwhelmed with longing for the capital."

"I only wish to soon receive Your Majesty's presence and personally present the good news. As I write this, tears stream down my face, and I am at a loss for words."

Xia Shouzhong's recitation was melodious and powerful, giving the reader a sense of being there.

The last few sentences were spoken in a low voice, carrying a sense of warmth and sincerity.

After reading it, Xia Shouzhong couldn't help but sigh to himself that Jia Zijie always included greetings and a few sentimental words in his letters.

These few words were neither improper nor offensive, yet they conveyed closeness and sincerity, which made even the emperor's personal attendant feel more comforted and at ease, let alone Emperor Jingsheng himself.

Xia Shouzhong knew that Emperor Jingsheng was particularly fond of this kind of thing, and his face would show more delight whenever he heard or saw this.

He was able to remain in the emperor's favor for months on end, and even increase it day by day. He was the only one in the entire court who could do this!

It must be said that Jia Zijie was not only good at winning battles, but his loyalty and respect for the emperor were also extremely precious and rare!

No wonder the emperor treated him with special regard, regarding him as a minister who would restore the nation!

As Xia Shouzhong finished reading, the entire hall erupted in uproar, from the cabinet ministers down to the fifth-rank censors.