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

On the streets of the capital, Jia Jing was pondering how to begin reforming military affairs, his face ashen.

Zhuque, standing to the side, paused slightly upon hearing Jia Jing's instructions, and asked in a low voice:

"Are you going to gather information on all the hereditary nobles and military heroes in the capital city? Including the lineage of the founding military heroes?"

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard is currently monitoring intelligence on important people and events in the entire capital city, it has not yet completed a thorough investigation of the backgrounds, relationships, and family businesses of all civil and military officials in the capital city.

After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was a clandestine organization, and many things were done in private. Their principle was to do as little as possible rather than make a mistake.

Jia Jing nodded, his expression calm, and said in a deep voice:

"Let's get a clear picture of the situation first! There are quite a few corrupt members among the founding military officers over the years, and some heinous bad apples should be eliminated."

"However, there's no rush. I've just returned, so let's lay low for a while and get complete control of the Twelve Battalions. That's our true foundation in the capital."

"As for the specifics of how the military reorganization will proceed, I will need to discuss it with His Majesty several more times and consider all aspects before taking action."

Reorganizing military affairs is a matter that will offend people, so Jia Jing is not in a hurry to do it. Right now, the main thing is to make preparations and find out the situation.

Although Emperor Jingsheng granted him the power to control the military affairs around the capital, this power was mainly to facilitate the implementation of the new policies in the three surrounding areas of the capital, rather than to directly purge the nobles of the capital!

Zhuque frowned slightly and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Your subordinate understands! Some of the founding military heroes do indeed need to be disciplined. Not only have they committed many illegal and taboo acts, but some of them also do not recognize their own position."

"Your Excellency has reported numerous victories and promotions this time, but some of your military officers haven't even come to congratulate you. Clearly, they don't respect you. Furthermore, some have spoken ill of you behind your back, and I've kept those notes!"

Jia Jing smiled upon hearing this, saying nothing more, but slightly increased his horse's speed, and said:

"Alright! Let's go, it's getting late, let's head back home first!"

…………

As the sun began to set, the slanting rays bathed the bluestone pavement of Ningrong Street in a dark gold hue.

The stretch of road from the entrance of Ningrong Street to the gate of Rongguo Mansion was now packed with people!

Almost everyone in the Jia family who could come, from close relatives to distant ones, from white-haired elders to toddlers, was present!

The main gate of Rongguo Mansion was wide open, and the threshold of the middle gate, which had been sealed with halberds for many days, had also been removed.

Two vermilion gates were pushed open to the left and right. Red silk was hung on the lintel, red cloth was tied to the stone lions in front of the gate, red felt was laid on the steps, and firecrackers were hung on the wall!

Unlike the last time Jia Jing returned home after being granted a marquisate, this time the people standing at the gate to greet him were no longer Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, or other members of the Jia family with the character "Yu" in their names.

Instead, they were relatives of the "Wen" and "Dai" generations, such as Jia Zheng, Jia Dairu, and Jia Daixiu.

Of course, Jia Zhen probably didn't have a chance!

The reason why the elders stood outside the door to greet him was naturally because Jia Jing's current status was far too important!

Compared to his previous return to the capital when he was a third-rank official, Jia Jing has now returned to his residence as a first-rank Duke of Jing, a general of the Imperial Guard, a pillar of the state, and has been granted the title of Minister of War and Military Governor of the Twelve Battalions.

He was truly the greatest warrior of the Han Dynasty, holding a position unparalleled in the imperial court and renowned throughout the land!

It is no exaggeration to say that Jia Jing's status and influence at this time had surpassed those of the Jia family's ancestors, the two Dukes Rong and Ning.

From now on, he will be included in a separate book in the Jia family genealogy, and his portrait will be placed next to the two Dukes Rong and Ning as the "ancestor of the Jia family's restoration".

Given his status, it is no longer appropriate to use family seniority or traditional rites of filial piety to determine rank and status!

After all, even the emperor had to travel dozens of miles outside the capital to welcome them. No matter how close or distant Jia Zheng and Jia Dairu were, could their status be more noble than that of the emperor?

At this moment, Jia Qiang, who was beside Jia Zheng, saw a troop of cavalry entering Ningrong Street from afar and immediately exclaimed:

"They're here! The Duke and the others are back!"

Because of Jia Zhen and Jia Rong's imprisonment, Jia Qiang, as the legitimate great-great-grandson of the Ningguo Mansion, is a strong heir to the Ningguo title.

His status within the Jia clan has risen in recent days, which is why he was able to stand beside Jia Zheng at this moment and speak first!

Jia Zheng, dressed in a dark blue robe and wearing a square headscarf, noticed the commotion at the street corner and quickly instructed his steward, Lin Zhixiao:

"Quickly! Set off firecrackers to welcome Jing-ge'er back home! Also, send someone to Rongqing Hall to inform the old lady!"

Lin Zhixiao quickly agreed, and then the sound of firecrackers echoed throughout Ningrong Street.

The sounds of "crackling" and "banging" were incessant, smoke filled the air, and red paper scraps flew everywhere.

"They're here! They're here!" countless people shouted!

At the street corner, a troop of elite cavalry emerged, clad in black armor, riding black horses, and sporting black plumes.

The sound of horses' hooves pounding on the bluestone slabs was as dense as raindrops hitting lotus leaves!

"Whoa!"

Amidst a unified shout, hundreds of personal guards and retainers slowly reined in their horses in front of the mansion gate.

Jia Jing, dressed in a python robe and jade belt, with the python pattern embroidered in gold thread, looked fierce and captivating in the afterglow of the setting sun, which shocked the Jia clan members present!

When Jia Jing's horse's footsteps ceased, Jia Zheng, Jia Daixiu, and Jia Dairu, leading a group of Jia clan members, bowed and greeted them:

"Welcome back to the Duke in triumph!"

Jia Jing first calmly glanced at the clansmen present, his gaze sweeping over them!

He then dismounted, stood still, took a few steps forward, and helped Jia Zheng, Jia Dairu, and the others to their feet, saying gently:

"Second Uncle! Lord Dairu, Lord Daixiu, I am a junior, how can I accept the courtesy of my elders! Please rise!"

Jia Zheng straightened up, looked at Jia Jing, and smiled:

"State etiquette is greater than family etiquette! Zijie has rendered meritorious service to the country, and even the entire cabinet of ministers bowed to welcome him. What's wrong with us simply offering a bow?"

Jia Zheng remained composed, showing no embarrassment at having to bow to the younger generation.

The main reason was that he had already bowed to Jia Jing at Lugou Bridge once, so he got used to it the second time!

Jia Dairu walked forward shakily, leaning on his cane, and touched Jia Jing's python robe sleeve with an excited expression.

His lips trembled a few times, and he said in a hoarse voice:

"My late father also had one of these python robes; it was a gift from the late Emperor! Truly, our ancestors are blessed; how fortunate our Jia family is to have produced another first-class duke!"

Jia Dairu was the brother of Jia Daishan and the son of Jia Yuan, the Duke of Rongguo!

Jia Daixiu, his face etched with sorrow, his eyes red-rimmed, and tears streaming down his face, said in a hoarse voice:

"The Rong Kingdom has worthy successors, but my Ning Kingdom..."

Jia Daixiu was Jia Daihua's brother and the son of Jia Yan, the Duke of Ningguo. At this moment, he was obviously thinking about the tragic situation of Jia Zhen and Jia Rong being imprisoned and the Ningguo Mansion being sealed up!

Of course, his actions were not without the implication that he wanted Jia Jing to plead for help on behalf of the Ningguo Mansion.

Jia Jing simply nodded indifferently at their words, without saying anything more.

After all, although they are elders, the relationship is quite distant, and the difference in status and position is too great, so there is no need to be overly polite.