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

By the end of the Si hour (9-11 AM), the sun was already high in the sky.

A beam of light shone through the horizontal window above the main hall of the East Mansion, landing directly on the golden bricks in front of the official desk, dazzlingly bright.

The armchairs on both sides were shrouded in the shadows of the beams and pillars, creating a dark and solemn atmosphere.

The incense in the Boshan burner was mostly burned, and wisps of smoke rose from the openwork of the lid, lingering in the air like a thin veil.

Shi Ding sat in the first armchair on the left side of the hall, his back ramrod straight.

He wore a dark blue robe with cloud patterns, covered with a black gauze jacket, with a white jade belt around his waist, and a marquis's seven-beam crown on his head.

In his forties, his temples were streaked with gray, deep wrinkles lined his forehead, his cheekbones were high, and his jaw was thin.

His eyes were bright, but the corners drooped down, carrying a hint of melancholy and resentment.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard at the door, the soles of boots stepping on the gold bricks, the pace steady and powerful, neither hurried nor slow.

Shi Ding immediately put down his teacup, quickly stood up, straightened his clothes, faced the door, and bowed slightly.

Jia Jing entered through the side door, now dressed in a black python robe with a jade belt around his waist. He bowed slightly as he crossed the threshold.

The sunlight shone on him, making his features appear as if they had been carved by a knife and axe.

Shi Ding bowed and clasped his hands respectfully, saying:

"Duke Jing!"

Although Shi Ding was Jia Jing's uncle according to kinship, this was a formal meeting in the main hall.

Since it wasn't a private matter, Shi Ding naturally addressed him with courtly etiquette.

The hall where the two are now is the main hall of the outer residence of the East Mansion, located in the first courtyard on the central axis of the mansion. It is the core place for holding important ceremonies and receiving high-level guests.

The hall's scale, decoration, and layout represent the highest level in the mansion, showcasing the grandeur of the Duke's residence.

According to the imperial court's regulations, the main hall of a Duke's residence should not exceed five bays, and the East Mansion should also fall within this limit.

As for the main hall of Jingming Hall, where Jia Jing had just discussed matters with Xuanwu, it is located in the third courtyard on the central axis and is the main hall of the inner residence.

Jingming Hall is the largest and most prestigious building in the inner residence. It serves as the core area for the owner's daily life, work, and internal affairs, and also represents the bottom line of the residence's privacy.

In the Han Dynasty's etiquette system, the main hall was the core of the host's life and the family's internal rituals; guests who were not close relatives or extremely important would not be allowed into the main hall.

Therefore, Jia Jing usually handled official business and household affairs in Jingming Hall, while meeting with colleagues and guests in the main hall.

Of course, if there are guests with very close relationships or private matters to discuss, they will be brought to Jingming Hall for a meeting.

Jia Jing nodded and said in a deep voice:

"Lord Shi, I've kept you waiting!"

Jia Jing had just read the intelligence report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard regarding the lineage of founding military heroes in Beijing, so he naturally understood the purpose of Shi Ding's visit today.

He was even aware of the arrangement made a few days earlier by Prince Bei Jing and Shi Ding to take turns visiting him.

It can be said that there are very few things in the capital city that he doesn't know, except for the imperial palace!

As for Shi Ding, the intelligence provided by the Embroidered Uniform Guard indicated that he was one of the few "pure and capable" figures among the founding military heroes.

First of all, this person is the only one among the founding military heroes who was ennobled for military merit rather than inheriting a title, which is a remarkable achievement compared to Nian Gengyao.

Secondly, Shi Ding was the most cautious person among all the founding military heroes with the fewest stains and misdeeds!

He not only maintained his integrity but also did not engage in any corrupt or illegal activities.

He was very strict in managing his household, and he strictly disciplined his children, wives and children. There was no history of him abusing his power or doing anything wrong.

Overall, Shi Ding can be considered an anomaly among the founding military heroes.

However, precisely because of his upright character, he was impeached for his strict military discipline when he served in Datong Town, which led to him sitting on the sidelines of the Five Military Commands for many years.

According to intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jia Jing had a fairly good impression of Shi Ding.

Furthermore, the fact that he was the first to visit the mansion, being one of the four great families, shows that he is on the right side.

Therefore, if he is a capable person, Jia Jing intends to transfer him to the Twelfth Battalion to serve!

Since they were considering using him, they couldn't adopt a low posture at this time, otherwise it would be difficult to manage him in the future. Therefore, Jia Jing called him the title of "Marquis Shi," which was neither too close nor too distant.

"Not long ago! Not long ago! It was my unannounced visit; I apologize for my rudeness!"

Shi Ding said politely, having spent many years on the sidelines, which had clearly honed his personality to a degree of sophistication.

As they spoke, Jia Jing walked to the main seat behind the desk and sat down, while Shi Ding sat back down in the armchair on the east side.

"More than four months have passed in the blink of an eye. The battle fought by Duke Jing in the Northwest has truly opened my eyes and the eyes of the world."

"Defeating Tuotuo Buhua, annihilating the Northern Yuan, sealing the Wolf Mountain, drinking from the vast sea, nine battles, nine victories, two arrows pacifying the Tianshan Mountains—how awe-inspiring!"

"These remarkable achievements are comparable to those of the Rong and Ning Dukes at the founding of the dynasty, and will surely leave a significant mark on history! Truly extraordinary!"

"These past few months, as I've heard one victory after another sent back to the capital, I've felt both joy for Duke Jing and immense regret!"

Shi Ding wore a sincere smile, his words carrying three parts flattery and seven parts admiration.

Jia Jing picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and said calmly:

"Oh, I wonder what Lord Shi regrets?"

Shi Ding sighed deeply and said with emotion:

"Alas! I regret that I was blind and did not follow you, Duke, to fight in the Northwest like Niu Jizong, Feng Tang, and Han Wu."

"Now, watching them achieve great things, be promoted to high positions, and enjoy boundless glory, how can I not be filled with regret!"

"Alas! It's such a pity that I couldn't participate in such a great battle, one that you might only encounter once in your lifetime..."

Shi Ding sighed repeatedly, but Jia Jing remained calm and expressionless, not uttering a single word.

Seeing this, Shi Ding composed himself, his expression becoming even more solemn, and continued:

"To be honest, Your Excellency, it's because I've been holding a sinecure in the court for the past few years that I've become somewhat disheartened and lost the spirit I once had to follow the late Rongguo."

"I originally thought that the entire court of military merit was completely corrupt, and with the internal and external troubles of the Han Dynasty, and the border troops being far less powerful than before, it would be difficult to win against the combined forces of the pseudo-Qing, Hunxie, and Northern Yuan."

"Even if you, Duke, are a man of exceptional talent leading an army, you will be limited by the availability of supplies and reinforcements and hampered by the civil officials in the court. At best, you can only manage to remain undefeated."

"Not to mention that the steppe cavalry are swift as the wind and skilled in archery and horsemanship. Under such circumstances, it is almost impossible to achieve a great victory in the Northwest Campaign! That's why I didn't volunteer to go into battle..."

"I really never expected that the Duke was not only outstanding in military strategy, but also so powerful in martial arts."

"They miraculously turned the tide in an impossible situation and ultimately achieved this miraculous victory..."

Shi Ding did some self-analysis, and the amazement in his expression seemed genuine. His words were sincere and introspective, while he also subtly praised Jia Jing.

Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, then nodded slightly and said:

"It's only natural for Lord Shi to think this way! Given the circumstances at the time, I'm afraid not only Lord Shi thought this way, but all the high-ranking officials and ministers in the court probably thought the same thing..."

Not only did the court officials think this way, but there were also quite a few who wanted to surrender and negotiate peace!

Even Emperor Jingsheng probably never imagined that the Northwest War would achieve such results, and was prepared to tighten his belt and fight a protracted war!

After all, Emperor Jingsheng had already ordered the palace to start cutting expenses and personnel, in order to mobilize the entire nation's resources to support the war in the Northwest!