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

Beside the dragon carriage,

Emperor Jingsheng took the riding whip from the eunuch and walked straight toward the carriage, his expression showing no sign of pretense!

Jia Jing's eyelids twitched when Emperor Jingsheng uttered the phrase "the greatest meritorious official of the Han Dynasty."

Upon seeing Emperor Jingsheng personally drive his carriage and act as his coach, his calm expression couldn't help but change slightly!

For the emperor to drive for his ministers, what kind of magnanimous person could accept that so calmly!

If he truly accepts it, it's not just simple arrogance and rudeness, but rather akin to overstepping his bounds and deceiving the emperor!

Emperor Jingsheng's favor to him today is a bit too much!

The emperor was greeted with music, officials bowed, and the imperial guards lowered their heads, all in the manner of the emperor driving a chariot.

Is this a test, or is the power of the "wise minister appearing in a dream" truly that great?

Jia Jing had no time to think and hurriedly stepped forward to stop Emperor Jingsheng, feigning fear as he cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty! There is a distinction between ruler and subject! I beg you! I deeply appreciate Your Majesty's kindness!"

"But you must also consider my feelings. If you were to drive the carriage yourself, wouldn't I feel like I'm sitting on pins and needles?"

"Besides, this doesn't comply with the rules of the imperial court!"

Emperor Jingsheng smiled with slight satisfaction upon seeing Jia Jing's sincere attitude.

He was now completely certain that Jia Jing was still the same respectful and sensible person who had not changed because of the achievements in the Northwest!

However, the more humble Jia Jing was, the more determined Emperor Jingsheng became to give him the honor and reward he deserved!

"Biao'er!" Emperor Jingsheng suddenly called out to his eldest son, Zhu Yunbiao, who was standing behind him.

Zhu Yunbiao immediately stepped forward from the group of imperial relatives, bowed, and said:

"Your subject is here!"

Emperor Jingsheng gazed solemnly at the imperial carriage pulled by six fine horses, and solemnly commanded:

"Zijie has rendered meritorious service to the country! This triumphant return is a great event for the nation! Come here and hold the whip and lead the carriage for him!"

Emperor Jingsheng's words greatly surprised all the civil and military officials present!

The faces of all the civil officials were as gloomy as the sky before a storm.

It was one thing to be greeted with imperial music and officials bowing, but now the eldest prince was made to hold the whip and drive the carriage for him—this was hardly the proper etiquette of a subject!

You must know that Zhu Yunbiao was both the eldest son of the legitimate wife and the rightful heir, destined to be the crown prince and the next emperor. How could he possibly be allowed to drive a carriage for a mere military man!

This is a reversal of moral principles and an insult to culture!

but,

Now, in front of such a large crowd, and having just witnessed the might of the triumphant army, no one among the ministers dared to stand up and utter a word of dissatisfaction, no matter how dissatisfied they were!

Zhu Yunbiao glanced at Emperor Jingsheng, then at Jia Jing, a slight smile playing on his lips. His refined face showed considerable pleasure as he said:

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

Jia Jing was startled, and looked at Emperor Jingsheng with a complicated expression, declining the offer:

"Your Majesty! How dare I trouble His Highness the Eldest Prince..."

Before Jia Jing could finish speaking, Emperor Jingsheng interrupted him, saying:

"No need for further words! You are a meritorious official of the Han Dynasty, what's wrong with him driving you a carriage? Don't refuse any longer, this is an imperial decree!"

After Emperor Jingsheng finished speaking, he didn't care what Jia Jing thought and ordered the eunuchs to forcibly push Jia Jing onto the imperial carriage.

Then, under Zhu Yunbiao's whip, Emperor Jingsheng and Jia Jing rode in the imperial carriage towards the city!

The civil and military officials who followed closely behind watched this scene with their own thoughts.

How much the Emperor trusts and values ​​that brat Jia Jing!

Riding together in the imperial carriage, with the prince driving the chariot, few ministers throughout history have received such special favor!

What upset the officials even more was that this matter could not be described as Jia Jing being arrogant and rude.

After all, Jia Jing refused; it was Emperor Jingsheng who issued an imperial edict ordering the eunuchs to forcibly push him up!

Therefore,

This scene can only be a beautiful story of harmonious relations between the ruler and his ministers, and of treating his ministers with courtesy, not a bad act of taking credit for others' achievements and being arrogant because of favor!

The princes, including Prince Yi, watched the imperial carriage gradually disappear into the distance, their faces darkening with gloom.

They came today hoping to witness the mutual distrust between Emperor Jingsheng and his minister Jia Jing.

He even tried to find an opportunity to win over Jia Jing, hoping to sow discord between the emperor and his minister.

To everyone's surprise, all they saw throughout the entire event was the two holding hands, creating a scene of perfect harmony between ruler and subject, like fish in water!

Prince Yi suppressed his displeasure and said in a low voice:

"Just wait and see! Times have changed!"

"Jia Zijie wields too much military power, and his own martial prowess is astounding. I refuse to believe that the current emperor will remain loyal to him forever! It's only a matter of time before the emperor and his minister turn against each other!"

Behind Prince Yi and others, Prince Nan'an and Prince Zhongshun also had grim expressions.

Prince Zhongshun and the Jia family were at odds, so seeing Jia Jing so trusted by Emperor Jingsheng naturally made him worried!

The Prince of Nan'an was stung by Emperor Jingsheng's earlier praise of Jia Jing as "the greatest meritorious official of the Han Dynasty"!

Having spent half his life on the battlefield, fighting in the south and north, rising to the rank of Prince and the position of Grand General, he always believed himself to be the greatest military hero of the Han Dynasty.

But he had never been treated so well by Emperor Jingsheng, let alone publicly hailed as the "Number One Meritorious Official of the Han Dynasty"!

Jia Zijie had only served in the army for three years and was no more than twenty years old, yet he was so favored and loved by Emperor Jingsheng!

If he is the greatest contributor to the Han Dynasty, then what am I?

Prince Zhongshun glanced at the displeased Prince of Nan'an, his eyes flashing, and smiled, saying:

"Did you hear what His Majesty just said? He called Jia Jing the greatest meritorious official of our Han Dynasty!"

"Jia Jing, that brat, has only served in the military for three years. What merit or ability does he possess!"

"If he is the most meritorious official, then what about you, me, and all these dukes, marquises, and ministers? Where would we rank?"

The Prince of Nan'an glanced at the Prince of Zhongshun, immediately seeing through his sinister intentions. Suppressing his displeasure, he smiled and said:

"Jia Zijie has indeed rendered meritorious service in pacifying the Northwest! It is no exaggeration to call him the foremost hero!"

"I'm fine, it's mainly you, Your Highness! I heard there seems to be some grudge between the late Duke Rong and you!"

"I think Your Highness should think more positively. Take a step back, and the world will be a wider place!"

"Why not prepare some gifts in the next few days, visit Duke Jing to apologize, and kowtow before the memorial tablet of the late Duke Rong to settle this old grudge!"

King Chungshun: "You..."

Meanwhile, on the official road, the imperial carriage moved slowly forward under the protection of countless Imperial Guards and the Imperial City Guard.

Six imperial horses moved with light, quick steps, their hooves clattering on the bluestone slabs at a leisurely pace.

The eldest prince, Zhu Yunbiao, sat on the carriage, his hands gripping the reins, his back straight as a baton, the hem of his blue python robe fluttering gently in the wind.

He was clearly a person who valued rules; at this moment, his face showed a mixture of excitement and curiosity.

However, he refrained from looking back into the imperial carriage even once, though his ears were perked up, as if he wanted to hear the conversation between Emperor Jingsheng and Jia Jing.

The sound from the carriage was too low, so low that it was drowned out by the muffled thud of the wheels rolling over the yellow earth, and nothing could be heard clearly.

Inside the dragon carriage,

The bright yellow curtains were half-rolled up, and sunlight leaked in through the gaps, drawing thin streaks of light on Emperor Jingsheng's robes.

The jade beads on his crown swayed gently in front of his forehead, making a soft, tinkling sound.