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

In Rongqing Hall,

Jia Zhen was filled with fear upon Xia Shouzhong's arrival, not knowing what he had done wrong!

Could it be that someone reported him for trying to have an affair?

But I haven't even had a chance to do it yet, have I?

As for "minor matters" such as making money in the Beijing garrison and going to brothels during the mourning period, they were not a big deal to him at all!

After all, which noble family in the capital is truly so clean? Even the most powerful and wealthy families have their share of dirty secrets!

Unlike civil officials, nobles do not need to be truly clean!

Moreover, even among those civil officials, how many of them didn't like money?

They received all sorts of gifts and festival presents, their hands were sore from receiving them!

Therefore, he did not believe that such a "trivial matter" would lead to him being publicly punished by the imperial court!

At this moment, when faced with Jia Mu's question, Xia Shouzhong did not answer directly, but instead said solemnly:

"Madam, this matter is a long story. I am under imperial orders and dare not delay. Let me first read out the imperial edict."

"The Prefectural Governor is also in court today; he is aware of the matter. The Grand Madam can inquire with him about the details later!"

Jia Zheng did attend the court assembly today, but due to his low rank, he stood at the back and remained an observer throughout.

Upon hearing Xia Shouzhong's words, Jia Zheng's expression became complicated.

He first glanced at Lady Wang and Jia Zhen, then, with a worried expression, said to Grandmother Jia:

"Mother, the matter of announcing the imperial decree cannot be delayed. Let Zhen-ge'er receive the decree first! We can discuss anything else after the decree has been announced."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia glanced at Jia Zhen, who was distraught and pale-faced, and slowly stepped aside.

Xia Shouzhong turned around to face Jia Zhen, his expression instantly changing from gentle to cold and stern, and shouted:

"General Wei Lie, kneel down and receive my decree!"

Jia Zhen shuddered at Xia Shouzhong's cold rebuke.

He walked forward slowly and shakily, knelt down, bowed his head, and murmured:

"Your subject, Jia Zhen, Third-Class General of Mighty Valor, receives the imperial decree!"

Jia Rong knelt down next to Jia Zhen, his eyelids slightly lowered. Although his face showed worry, there was a hidden joy in the depths of his eyes.

My father's in trouble! That's great!

According to the system of the Han Dynasty court, generally speaking, as long as it is not a heinous crime such as treason or collusion with the enemy, one can be considered guilty.

A noble family like the Ningguo Mansion, or a family of hereditary nobles, would not be stripped of their title, and they should not be implicated.

Jia Rong was well aware that although his father did whatever he wanted in the Ningguo Mansion, he was also corrupt and accepted bribes in the Beijing Garrison.

However, he had not committed any heinous crimes, nor did he have the ability to plot a rebellion and endanger imperial power.

In other words, if his father is imprisoned and convicted, he is unlikely to be implicated.

Instead, they would naturally inherit the title of Ningguo Mansion and become the new master of the Eastern Mansion.

Just imagining the future when he could break free from his father's control, be in charge of his own household, and be lawless, made him tremble with excitement.

Seeing Jia Rong's worried expression and trembling body, Jia Zheng, who was standing to the side, realized that he was worried about Jia Zhen's safety.

With a hint of admiration on his refined face, he couldn't help but praise:

"Rong-ge'er, what a filial son!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Rong frantically suppressed all sorts of rebellious thoughts in his mind, and the worry on his face involuntarily deepened.

Just then, Xia Shouzhong unfolded the imperial edict, his voice high-pitched, yet every word was clear:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Jia Zhen, the Third-Class General of the Ningguo Prefecture, is an official appointed by the court, yet he does not think of serving the country and instead engages in corruption and perverts the law."

"During the mourning period, frequenting brothels, patronizing prostitutes, and drinking alcohol are considered immoral and offensive to public morals."

"During the rectification of the Beijing Garrison, he accepted bribes, sold official positions, and embezzled no less than 100,000 taels of silver."

"It also forced Zhou Jiwei, the commander of the left flank of the Beijing Garrison, and others to rebel, causing a mutiny in the Beijing Garrison, resulting in the deaths of more than a dozen court officials, almost leading to a major disaster."

"The evidence is irrefutable, and it has aroused the wrath of both gods and men. He is hereby stripped of all his official titles and ranks, and ordered to be arrested by the Imperial City Guard and brought to trial by the Three Judicial Offices."

"His family property is to be confiscated to cover the embezzled funds, by imperial decree."

After Xia Shouzhong finished reading the imperial edict, he coldly said to Jia Zhen:

"General Wei Lie, why haven't you accepted the imperial decree and expressed your gratitude!"

Jia Zhen's eyes were glazed over, his voice trembling. Facing this imperial edict that weighed a thousand pounds, he spoke with difficulty:

"Your subject, Jia Zhen, receives the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

Upon receiving the imperial edict from Xia Shouzhong, Jia Zhen felt his head spinning, as if struck by lightning, and he was almost unable to stand steadily on his knees!

My mind was completely occupied with the Beijing Garrison, so why did things suddenly change like this?

Heaven help him, he never intended to force Zhou Jiwei and the others into rebellion!

Although he took the money but did nothing, his intention was merely to put on airs and act superior.

The ultimate goal was simply to get those officers in the Beijing garrison to... pay more money!

That damn Zhou Jiwei, how could he be so impatient and rebel so directly?

How dare they! How dare they!

At this moment, Grandmother Jia and the others in the hall also understood what Jia Zhen had done wrong.

During the mourning period, going to brothels, drinking with prostitutes, and even accepting bribes and embezzling money are not considered major offenses!

The crucial point is that it actually forced the officers and soldiers of the Beijing Garrison to rebel, causing a mutiny in the Beijing Garrison and resulting in the deaths of more than a dozen officials of the imperial court. This is no small crime!

No wonder it angered the palace, and the emperor ordered the Imperial City Guard to personally arrest him!

Grandmother Jia's aged face was filled with complex emotions, and she mumbled something for a long time, not knowing what to say.

In the end, he could only shake his head in dejection, secretly hoping that when Jia Jing returned, he could ask him to think of a way to get Zhen Ge'er out.

Standing next to Grandmother Jia, Sister Feng's beautiful and radiant face was filled with shock.

All he could think about was how Jia Zhen had managed to swindle 100,000 taels of silver!

One hundred thousand taels!

They could probably pile it up into a small mountain and bury Wang Xifeng!

Counting the days, Jia Zhen only went to the capital to handle official business for three or four months, yet he made so much money in just under a hundred days!

It seems that being an official or doing a job is still the most lucrative job!

When my third brother returns, I, as a "meritorious official," will definitely ask him for a good job and make a fortune!

Meanwhile, Lady Wang, whose eyes held a hint of joy, heard the contents of the imperial edict...

A hint of panic surfaced on the clean white dough, and a sense of foreboding rose in her heart!

What? A mutiny in the Beijing garrison! And more than a dozen court officials have died?

My brother, Wang Ziteng, is the commander in charge of reorganizing the Beijing garrison. Could something have happened to him?

Lady Wang felt a little dizzy and hurriedly asked Jia Zheng beside her:

"Master, did the mutiny in the capital harm Baoyu's uncle?"

Upon hearing this, the others also thought that Wang Ziteng was in charge of the reorganization of the Beijing garrison. Could it be that Wang's uncle had also perished?

Aunt Xue's composure vanished; Wang Ziteng was not only Madam Wang's brother, but also her own brother.

She's the biggest supporter of her family, so nothing can happen to her.

A flicker of panic crossed Aunt Xue's fair face as she exclaimed in surprise:

"Yes! Pan'er's uncle is also in the Beijing garrison. I hope nothing bad has happened to him?"