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

Of the four things Lin Ruhai mentioned, the first and second ones are naturally not worth mentioning; they are about reminiscing about old friendships between relatives and expressing gratitude.

The third and fourth matters concerned state affairs, especially the fourth, which made Jia Jing frown slightly.

Gong Dingzi implemented new policies, recovered outstanding debts, and rectified official corruption in Jiangnan, employing rather harsh methods.

Although Qian's actions were beneficial to the country and its people, every single one of them struck at the very core of the gentry, powerful families, and officials.

Those powerful families who were expelled from their hidden lands, those civil and military officials whose arrears were recovered, and those officials and gentry who were dismissed, impeached, or whose interests were harmed, all hated him intensely and wished they could get rid of him as soon as possible!

In the two months since Gong Dingzi arrived in Jiangnan, memorials impeaching and criticizing him have been sent to the capital like snowflakes every day, but Emperor Jingsheng has kept them all hidden from the emperor.

Later, seeing that impeachment could not bring down Gong Dingzi, the officials and gentry in Jiangnan did not sit idly by and wait for their doom, but chose to confront him head-on and take a risk.

It's quite funny, according to recent reports from the Embroidered Uniform Guard,

Gong Dingzi, a high-ranking cabinet minister and imperial envoy, was ambushed eleven times in Jiangnan in the past month, and each time the attack was different.

Either the boat was leaking, or the government office where they were staying caught fire, or their food was poisoned...

Those behind the scenes were actually officials, gentry, salt merchants, and some outlaws from Jiangnan.

If it weren't for the five hundred Imperial Guards and dozens of Imperial City Guards sent by Emperor Jingsheng to protect Gong Dingzi as an imperial envoy, he would probably have been reduced to ashes long ago.

"The officialdom in Jiangnan is utterly corrupt, from the governor, the provincial treasurer, the provincial judicial commissioner to the prefects and magistrates of each prefecture, and then to the military governor."

"Officials at all levels, both civil and military, colluded and were like a den of snakes and rats, obstructing the court's new policies in every possible way."

"First, they used servants, tenants, and even garrison soldiers to resist the implementation of the new policies and spread rumors everywhere."

"Now they have become so audacious as to repeatedly plot against imperial envoys and Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, acting lawlessly and recklessly, truly having lost all sense of principle and reverence."

"Even the rise of the White Lotus Sect had the shadow of those gentry behind it. Using local uprisings to resist 'court policies,' and even using others to do their dirty work, was not a new tactic..."

Combining the reports from the Embroidered Uniform Guard with Lin Ruhai's letter, Jia Jing gained a deeper understanding of the dire situation in the Jiangnan region.

The deeply entrenched powerful families and clans within the Han Dynasty have become a major cancer, and it is unlikely that relying solely on cabinet ministers and imperial envoys to rectify the situation will be effective!

However, this is for the best... As the saying goes, there is no construction without destruction, but I should make some preparations in advance!

"What did Father and Third Brother say?" Daiyu asked nervously, her bright eyes fixed on Jia Jing's changing expression.

Seeing that Jia Jing looked somewhat serious, she worried that something might have happened on Lin Ruhai's side.

Jia Jing picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and said:

"It's mainly about matters of the imperial court."

Daiyu's beautiful face paused slightly, her starry eyes beneath her delicate brows brightened, and she softly asked with concern:

"Judging from Third Brother's expression, the situation in Jiangnan doesn't seem too good?"

She regularly read the imperial gazette and knew a little about what was happening in Jiangnan. She knew that the imperial court had sent an imperial envoy to Jiangnan to implement new policies, which had caused quite a stir.

Jia Jing pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"The situation is still unclear, but implementing new policies and reforming the salt administration are inevitable trends of the imperial court."

"Even with some minor setbacks, we will eventually succeed."

As long as Emperor Jingsheng and his original intentions remain unchanged, it's only a matter of time before the Jiangnan region is purged.

Daiyu pursed her lips, gazed intently, and asked:

"Does the third brother think Father might be in danger?"

Jia Jing said:

"Uncle Lin has been operating in Yangzhou for many years, and with the personal guards I sent to protect him, he shouldn't be in any trouble!"

"Regardless of how the situation develops, Uncle Lin should be able to be transferred back to Beijing this year or next! At that time, my sister will no longer have to suffer the pain of separation from her family!"

Given Lin Ruhai's many years of experience as the salt commissioner in Yangzhou, he will surely be transferred to the capital to serve as an official once the situation in Jiangnan stabilizes.

With the situation in Jiangnan stable, and the external threats to the court temporarily quelled within the last year or two, it was time to concentrate on dealing with internal troubles, with the first priority being the reorganization of Jiangnan.

Upon hearing this, Daiyu's heart stirred with subtle ripples. Her starry eyes flickered with anticipation, and she softly said:

"It's been many years since I've seen my father. I wonder how he is doing!"

Zijuan whispered from the side:

"These days, our young lady has been preoccupied with the Duke's safety and the affairs in the south."

"They said they were unaware of the master's recent situation, and that it had been many years since they had visited their ancestral home in Suzhou to pay respects to their mistress, failing to fulfill their filial duty as children!"

Jia Jing glanced at Daiyu, who was silent with her eyes downcast and brows furrowed in worry, and after a moment's thought, he comforted her:

"Maybe there will be an opportunity this year. If I go south in a while, I can take my sister back with me."

Judging from the development of the situation in Jiangnan, Jia Jing estimated that he would most likely have to make a trip there.

However, the most urgent task is to reorganize the 12th Battalion in the capital and seize military power!

When he actually went to Jiangnan, he would not implement new policies like Gong Dingzi, but would lead a large army to break down all shackles and obstacles and reshape a new order in Jiangnan.

That wouldn't be rectification, it would be demolition and reconstruction!

Daiyu's expression changed slightly, her bright eyes fixed on Jia Jing, and she exclaimed in surprise:

"Is Third Brother going to Jiangnan?"

As one of the top military commanders of the Han Dynasty, if Jia Jing were to go to Jiangnan, it would surely mean that a great upheaval had occurred there and he was leading troops to quell the rebellion.

Otherwise, he wouldn't need to personally handle ordinary matters or matters of state.

And he's only been back from the Northwest for two days, is he already leaving Beijing again?

Jia Jing said:

"Jiangnan is a vital source of wealth for our Han Dynasty. The key to whether the new policies can be implemented across the country lies in this region. This is why the court has repeatedly dispatched governors, high-ranking officials, and imperial envoys to Jiangnan."

"It's just that the Jiangnan region has too many powerful clans and wealthy families because they helped the founding emperor raise an army at the beginning of the dynasty, and various local forces have become deeply entrenched."

"In addition, many of these areas are populated by families with generations of high-ranking officials, and it is also a place of great cultural prosperity. It seems that sending only a civil official as an imperial envoy will not be enough to completely solve the problems here."

"Although Gong Dingzi was of high status and his methods were tough, his repeated crackdowns not only yielded worrying results, but also aroused strong dissatisfaction and covert resistance from officials and gentry in Jiangnan."

"I reckon trouble is brewing in Jiangnan soon, and the imperial court will probably have to send Wu Xun to lead troops there!"

As things stand, relying solely on the "kind words of advice" of civil officials is certainly not going to work regarding the situation in Jiangnan; even the Grand Secretaries of the court are not buying it.

They even dared to plot against us in secret. In such a lawless place, it is impossible to change anything without taking drastic measures.

Daiyu asked, her eyes filled with worry:

"Won't Third Brother's trip to Jiangnan damage his reputation?"

It's not about fighting externally; if war breaks out in Jiangnan, it will likely draw criticism from all over the world!