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

Niu smiled broadly; no matter how you look at it, her words were quite appropriate!

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia was somewhat moved, recalling the scene of her two nephews serving under the late Duke Rongguo.

Of the two nephews, the second nephew, Shi Nai, was similar to his eldest son, Jia She, in that he couldn't endure much hardship.

He only earned some military merits before going back to inherit his family's military title of Marquis of Baoling!

However, the title of Marquis Zhongjing held by his third nephew, Shi Ding, was earned through hardship on the battlefield, with each soldier fighting for his life. He even narrowly escaped death several times.

Moreover, Grandmother Jia was well aware that although the Shi family, with two members holding marquis titles, appeared to be living a glamorous life, it was not easy for them in reality.

Both of her nephews held sinecure positions, and the family was not well-off, which is why she often invited Shi Xiangyun to stay at the Jia Mansion for extended periods.

After thinking for a moment, Grandmother Jia asked in a hoarse voice:

"It would be wonderful if Ding'er could get closer to Jing'er!"

"It's just a high-ranking official position like a battalion commander; I doubt even Jing-ge'er could appoint someone on his own."

Although Grandmother Jia wanted Jia Jing to help Shi Ding as much as possible, she was still somewhat hesitant because she had just been reprimanded the day before.

In addition, she also had some doubts about the appointment of the battalion commander. Could Jia Jing really make the decision?

As the former Lady of Rongguo, Grandmother Jia was not entirely ignorant of matters concerning the military camp.

The late Duke Rongguo, Jia Daishan, had also served as the military governor of the Beijing garrison. Grandmother Jia knew that important positions such as the commander of a battalion in the Beijing garrison were mostly directly appointed by the imperial court.

This is a system, a system of checks and balances, not a system where the military governor can use whomever he wants!

Upon hearing this, Madam Niu chuckled lightly:

"If it were anyone else, that would naturally be unacceptable. How could one accept a position in the imperial court through private dealings!"

"But Duke Jing is different; it's simply a matter of him giving the order to decide who to use or not use in the Twelve Battalions!"

Seeing that Grandmother Jia frowned, with a somewhat disbelieving expression on her face, Madam Niu continued:

"This is no exaggeration! The position of the commander-in-chief of the four towns and three border regions in the Northwest is extremely important, as the old lady should know, right?"

"The positions of my brother, Lord Zhou, Lord Han, and Lord Feng as the four commanders of the four towns were all recommended by Duke Jing."

"The emperor approved every single one of the lists he submitted!"

"In addition, Lord Zhang and Ma Guocheng, who were by the side of Duke Jing, were also recommended by him to become deputy military commissioners of the Twelve Battalions, who were of the third rank and commanded nearly 100,000 troops. They held high positions and great power."

"Ma Guocheng was originally just a fourth-rank general in the Ba Shang camp, but he joined the Duke of Jing's forces."

"In just over six months, he's been promoted three ranks, and now he's only one step away from being ennobled as a marquis. It's enough to make anyone envious!"

"Sometimes a person's fate is truly wondrous. If they seize an opportunity, they can soar to great heights, just as the old saying goes: first, fate; second, luck; third, feng shui."

As Mr. Niu finished speaking, his tone couldn't help but carry a hint of emotion.

Thinking that his master was a marquis, born into a prestigious family, and had extraordinary military skills, how was he inferior to the likes of Ma Guocheng?

But it was just a matter of fate. In just a few months, when I see Ma Guocheng again, I'll probably have to address him as "your subordinate"!

Niu's words caused the people in the hall to have different thoughts for a moment.

Originally, everyone thought that Niu Shi was exaggerating her praise of Jia Jing to help Shi Ding get an official position!

But when she mentioned it, many people belatedly realized it.

As Jia Jing continued to rise in rank and title over the past three years, it seems that his group of military officers, to varying degrees, also "advanced".

In Liaodong, Feng Ziying of the Divine Martial General's Mansion, Han Qi of the Marquis of Jinxiang's Mansion, Liu Fang of the Duke of Liguo's Mansion, and Hou Xiaokang of the Duke of Xiuguo's Mansion all received titles and official ranks.

Needless to say, in the Northwest, four people were granted the title of Marquis in this battle alone, and dozens more were granted the titles of Earl, Viscount, and Baron.

Niu Jizong and Feng Tang had been unable to rise to the rank of First-Class Earl for countless years, but after participating in the Northwest War with Jia Jing, they were granted the title of Marquis!

Even Zhuque, who served as Jia Jing's personal retainer, was now a marquis and a high-ranking military officer in the Han Dynasty.

These incidents, one by one, are shocking to think about.

No wonder the founding generation of the Wu family vied to visit Jia Jing, and no wonder the old lady's nephew also came to seek an official position!

It's really important to follow the right person!

At this moment, Sister Feng's phoenix eyes darted around, a thoughtful expression appearing on her fair face, a glint of fervor flashing in her eyes:

Wouldn't it be perfect to let my Lian Er go with my third brother to the Twelfth Regiment for some training?

It's not dangerous, and there are military merits to be gained. As long as my third brother takes care of me a little, I might be able to inherit a military title in the future.

Compared to a marquis, a second-class general is far inferior!

With such a powerful ally right in front of us, if we don't know how to cling to our third brother, then we would truly be foolish and short-sighted!

Since her own husband is useless, she, as his wife, has to think of more ways to please her third brother no matter what!

A hint of interest also flashed across Aunt Xue's fair face at this moment:

If my dear daughter and Jingge'er get married, then Pan'er will be Jingge'er's brother-in-law.

With such a close relationship, it would be a bit unreasonable not to help them out, wouldn't it?

He didn't expect Pan'er to become an official or a minister; as long as he could obtain a noble title, that would be enough for him to enjoy for several lifetimes!

But... I wonder how my dear daughter and Jing-ge'er are getting along!

She got home so late yesterday, and wouldn't say anything when I asked her. It was driving me crazy!

Tan Chun and Li Wan, who were standing to the side, exchanged glances, thinking of Jia Huan and Jia Lan.

With Jia Jing as their elder brother and uncle, as long as the two of them can gain even the slightest appreciation, their future will be secure!

The only one in the hall who looked somewhat sad was probably Grandmother Jia; her feelings were complex and difficult to understand.

Because she suddenly realized that although Jia Jing was advancing triumphantly with many of his military officers and was being promoted and ennobled, he seemed to have neglected his own family members!

It would be one thing if they didn't offer any support, but ever since Jia Jing entered officialdom, it seems that no one else in the Jia family has had any good news.

On the Rongguo Mansion side, the eldest master was attacked and was half-dead, while on the Ningguo Mansion side, Jia Jing died, Jia Zhen and Jia Rong were exiled, and even the ancestral titles were lost!

It can be said that, apart from Jia Jing himself, the Jia family as a whole was on a downward spiral in officialdom.

Only Jia Zheng, a fifth-rank official, was still in office; otherwise, the Rong and Ning mansions would have no one left in the officialdom!

What exactly happened?

Could it be that Jing-ge'er alone has exhausted the fortune of both mansions?

Grandmother Jia was filled with all sorts of guesses and couldn't quite figure it out for a moment!