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

What's even more gratifying is that...

He treated Zijie with sincerity, and Zijie did not disappoint him.

Not only did he win battle after battle and sweep away the Northwest, but now he is also able to remain humble and have no arrogant thoughts. He truly deserves to be called the wise minister who appeared in my dream!

Emperor Jingsheng stood there stunned for a moment, slowly composed himself, and then addressed the army behind him in a loud voice:

"My lords, you have worked hard! You may all rise!"

He then walked up to Jia Jing, bent down, and helped him up by taking his arms with both hands.

Emperor Jingsheng stared intently at Jia Jing's face for a moment, and after a long while, he said in a hoarse voice:

"Zijie has lost weight!"

Although it was only four words, it gave Jia Jing a jolt.

Jia Jing raised his head, looking at Emperor Jingsheng's gaunt face, sunken eyes, and newly graying temples, and choked out:

"I am perfectly fine! It is Your Majesty who has truly lost weight due to the hardships of governing the country!"

The two held hands, looking each other over, clearly filled with longing, yet unsure of what to say!

This scene of the emperor and his minister meeting in silence caused the surrounding civil and military officials and members of the imperial family to frown deeply, their hearts burning with jealousy!

Emperor Jingsheng had always been a solemn and dignified person in front of them; he had never before shown such a frank and genuine emotion!

Especially Kong Ying, Xu Zhuo, and others, who had just experienced Emperor Jingsheng's thunderous might a few days ago, were extremely resentful:

They either yell at or roar at us, the loyal ministers who dare to speak out, but they are kind and protective of Jia Jing, the powerful minister!

Such a stark contrast between their two faces truly chills the hearts of us loyal subjects of the country!

There are treacherous officials in the court who are bewitching the emperor!

Jia Jing held Emperor Jingsheng's hand, gently supporting his body with skillful force. Seeing that the corners of his eyes were red, he quickly said respectfully:

"Your Majesty! The generals and soldiers who made great contributions in this Northwest campaign have all returned to the capital with me. How about I show them to you?"

Emperor Jingsheng's reason for leading a hundred officials to greet him was certainly not just to receive Jia Jing alone.

One of its important purposes is to reward and commend the meritorious soldiers and boost morale.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingsheng composed himself, nodded, and smiled:

"Our soldiers have fought valiantly on the battlefield, rendering meritorious service to the nation. I shall personally witness their might and offer my congratulations! Zijie, lead me there!"

immediately,

The two then led the civil and military officials slowly along the imperial road to the place where the victorious soldiers had stopped.

Emperor Jingsheng sighed as he walked:

"Zijie's victory in this battle, pacifying the grasslands and defeating three kingdoms, is such a remarkable achievement that I never expected!"

At this point, Emperor Jingsheng seemed to recall something, his gaze softening as he continued:

"By the way! Good news came from Liaodong a few days ago."

"Qin Qiong led 30,000 cavalry to a great victory over Erdan's 60,000-strong army of the puppet Qing dynasty, annihilating over 10,000 enemy soldiers. The puppet Qing has also agreed to our dynasty's peace terms!"

"Zijie possesses both the keen eye for talent and the ability to win every battle. The fact that our Han Dynasty has been able to display its national power this time is all thanks to you!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing's expression turned serious, and he replied in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty has bestowed upon me your favor, trust, and kindness, which is as deep as the sea. How could I not repay this kindness with my life!"

"Your Majesty, I do not seek merit; I only ask that you, my sovereign, worry less about state affairs and take good care of your health. That would be enough for me!"

In a later sentence, Jia Jing deliberately changed his address to Emperor Jingsheng from "Your Majesty" to "Your Sovereign Father"!

What is a ruler or father?

Like a father to me! His kindness is like a second birth to me!

Upon hearing Jia Jing's heartfelt words, Emperor Jingsheng nodded in agreement.

Zijie hasn't changed at all; he's still incredibly loyal! His biggest concern is always my health!

Those behind the two, such as the eldest prince Zhu Yunbiao, were seeing Jia Jing for the first time.

Seeing him return in triumph, at the height of his military achievements, yet still showing no arrogance and remaining so respectful to his superiors, his loyalty is truly evident to all!

No wonder the Emperor valued him so much, regarding him as a vital asset!

I heard he's also a filial son!

The ancients said that loyal ministers must come from filial sons, and this statement is absolutely true!

At this moment, Chen Tingjing and other cabinet ministers had complex expressions and were filled with inexplicable emotions!

They had seen Jia Jing angrily rebuke Duke Zhao, Xu Qianxue, and others in the court, so they knew that Jia Jing was not as harmless and sincere as he appeared on the surface!

Their admiring expression and sweet words were exactly the same as before, unchanged!

Beneath Zhang Tingyu's graying eyebrows, his aged eyes held a hint of surprise and uncertainty!

When Jia Jing returned to the capital after achieving merit in Liaodong, he was just as respectful and cautious. At that time, he felt that Jia Jing was a treacherous villain who appeared loyal!

But at this time, Jia Jing held the power of hundreds of thousands of troops in Ba Shang and the Northwest, and his power was immense. Yet he was still so humble towards him, which made him have to re-evaluate Jia Jing!

After all, if someone truly harbors wicked intentions, they would at least reveal some of their true colors; otherwise, they would be far too tolerant!

Zhang Tingyu frowned, many questions welling up in his mind, and he began to doubt his previous judgment.

Could Jia Zijie truly be a virtuous minister, consistent in word and deed, possessing the qualities of a great sage of antiquity?

Did I misjudge the person?

While the ministers were lost in their own thoughts, Emperor Jingsheng and Jia Jing arrived hand in hand before the victorious soldiers.

"Soldiers, His Majesty has come to see you in person!" Jia Jing said solemnly to the triumphant officers.

"Stand at attention! Let His Majesty see what kind of elite troops our Northwest and Ba Shang camps are!"

Upon hearing this, the more than 20,000 soldiers were immediately excited, and as the bugle sounded, they all stood at attention.

Generals such as You Shiyong led the way, followed by ten rows of elite cavalrymen, each holding a banner and waving it.

Following them were the elite Xuanjia cavalry, their cavalry arrayed on both flanks, their imposing presence like a rainbow, their banners fluttering, and their swords and spears like a forest.

Emperor Jingsheng, his face contorted with anger, slowly walked into the formation.

Jia Jing followed half a step behind, quietly explaining to Emperor Jingsheng the merits and battles the officers and soldiers had achieved!

Emperor Jingsheng walked very slowly, listened very carefully, and observed very closely.

He looked at the black armor and black horses of the Xuanjia elite cavalry, the warhorses and long swords of the cavalry formation, and the long swords and spears of the meritorious soldiers formation.

He saw that each of the first ten rows of soldiers had a wooden plaque hanging from their waist, recording their achievements!

He saw the scars on the soldiers' faces, the knife marks and arrow holes in their armor, and the burning fire in their eyes.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Truly worthy of being called the mighty army of our great Han Dynasty!"

Emperor Jingsheng couldn't help but say "good" three times in a row, each word resounding with conviction.

Emperor Jingsheng walked back to the front of the formation, turned around and addressed all the soldiers, his face moved as he spoke loudly:

"Soldiers of the Han Dynasty...you have worked hard!"

More than 20,000 soldiers knelt down at the same time, the sound of their armor plates colliding like distant thunder rolling across the earth.

"Long live Your Majesty! May the Han Dynasty triumph!"

The shouts echoed from the front of the procession to the back, from the back to the very end, and from the very end to the end of the official road.

Twenty thousand people, twenty thousand throats, simultaneously burst forth with the same sound, like thunder, like a tide, like a mountain collapsing and the earth splitting.

"Rise, all of you! I have prepared a welcome banquet for you. Come back with me!"

After Emperor Jingsheng gave the victorious soldiers a few words of encouragement, he took Jia Jing's hand and walked towards the imperial carriage that had been prepared.

He said, his expression revealing barely concealed excitement:

"Zijie! Your merit in this battle is immense; you are truly the greatest hero of our Han Dynasty! Quickly come with me to the palace; today I will personally hold the whip and drive the chariot for you!"