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

Inside the Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Jingsheng, his emotions surging, took Jia Jing's hand and continued in a loud voice:

"Zijie! As long as we, ruler and subject, are of one mind, sharing joys and sorrows, we will surely be able to recover Liaodong together, revitalize the world, and usher in a golden age!"

"By then, your achievements will be unforgettable to me and to the nation. In the future, your name will be etched in history, and you will have a place in the west wing of the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

Faced with Emperor Jingsheng's heartfelt statement, Jia Jing's expression faltered slightly, but he quickly composed himself, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Majesty's favor is as vast as the sea; how dare I accept such an honor? Rest assured, Your Majesty, even if I were to devote myself entirely to the cause, even unto death, I would still strive to pacify the world and help Your Majesty revive the Han Dynasty!"

"With Your Majesty's magnificent virtue, you will surely become a ruler like Yao and Shun in the future!"

This is just mutual empty promises!

Emperor Jingsheng solemnly promised Jia Jing in public that he would be allowed to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the future!

Jia Jing, on the other hand, said he would help Emperor Jingsheng become a ruler like Yao and Shun!

Being honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple was arguably the highest honor for civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty, representing the "ultimate goal" for any subject.

It is also the ultimate affirmation of those who "rise from general to prime minister" by the imperial power in this era:

Regardless of whether one is a civil or military official, the ultimate destiny of those who achieve great deeds and assist the state is to accompany the emperor after death and enjoy eternal worship.

It should be noted that in the more than one hundred years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, the total number of civil and military officials who were honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple did not exceed ten.

Moreover, they were all outstanding figures who made significant contributions to the founding and establishment of the dynasty during the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Chengzu.

Moreover, being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple has real benefits for future generations. In addition to the supreme honor, they can always say "My father is enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple"!

It can also bring practical benefits such as official appointments by favor, hereditary titles, protection for wrongdoing, and improved social status.

It is more like a "life-saving charm" and "protective talisman" that Emperor Jingsheng promised to Jia Jing, which can truly benefit future generations.

This would prevent him from being slandered by his ministers or from having any worries about offending people later due to his diligence in serving the king.

The cabinet ministers standing nearby all had changing expressions and complex thoughts upon hearing this.

In the Qianqing Palace, in front of everyone, the Emperor held Jia Zijie's hand.

The idea that he should be honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and share in the prosperity of the times is an unprecedented level of trust and respect.

As long as the emperor is on the throne, it is entirely foreseeable that Jia Zijie will become the fifth non-royal king of the Han Dynasty!

Zhang Tingyu's white beard trembled, and his expression changed slightly.

Being honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple was his ultimate dream, or rather, no civil official would not want to be honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple after death.

Zhang Tingyu originally planned to bring up the matter after assisting Emperor Jingsheng in implementing the new policies, but he never expected that Jia Jing would beat him to it!

This... the honor that I could not obtain, Jia Jing could obtain with ease!

It has to be said that Zhang Tingyu was quite envious at this moment!

Fang Congzhe's gaze towards Jia Jing was now filled with apprehension. He knew that given the Emperor's current level of trust in Jia Zijie,

It seems that as long as Jia Zijie doesn't openly rebel or suffer a major defeat in the future, no one will be able to shake his position in the emperor's heart!

Any words that slander Jia Zijie might be regarded by the emperor as slanderous words that would harm the Han dynasty!

This situation, where military strength is prioritized over civil administration, is probably more of a curse than a blessing for the nation!

After a touching scene of deep affection between Jia Jing and Emperor Jingsheng, Emperor Jingsheng reluctantly let go of Jia Jing's hand.

He then walked back to his desk and sat down, his face cold as he looked at Xu Zhuo and the other two kneeling in the hall, and said in a cold voice:

"Since my ascension to the throne, I have repeatedly admonished the princes and ministers to be wary of forming cliques!"

"Emperors Taizu and Chengzu repeatedly warned their court officials to be wary of forming cliques! Why?"

"Because once factions are formed, whether they are nearby or thousands of miles away, their bond is unbreakable, and disasters will follow!"

"Those who belong to the same party, regardless of whether they are virtuous or not, will be protected in every way. Those who are not part of the same party, regardless of whether they are good or bad, will be attacked in every way."

"They value the rise and fall of their factions above all else, disregarding the overall interests of the nation."

"This time, the incitement of officials, the formation of cliques to disrupt the government, the coercion of the Emperor, and even the plotting of treason by Xu Zhuo, Xie Jishi, and Lu Shengnan is irrefutable proof!"

Emperor Jingsheng paused here, then turned to the cabinet ministers with a livid expression and asked:

"...You are all important officials of the court. Let us discuss how to deal with these rebellious ministers and those scoundrels outside the Meridian Gate, so as to clear obstacles for the new policies and serve as a warning to those who form cliques and disrupt the government!"

Although Emperor Jingsheng was asking for opinions, the charges of factionalism and "coercing the emperor" had already set the tone for severely punishing Xu Zhuo and his associates.

Based on these charges, confiscation of property and execution would be the least of their crimes!

of course,

Emperor Jingsheng had no choice but to punish the individuals severely, since both the remonstrances to force the emperor to abdicate and the proposals to abolish the new policies had crossed his bottom line, and he absolutely did not want such a thing to happen a second time.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhuo, Xie Jishi, and the others turned ashen-faced and secretly cast pleading glances at Fang Congzhe and Xiong Cili, two cabinet ministers standing to the side.

Upon seeing this, Fang Congzhe frowned, his refined face becoming solemn. After a moment of contemplation, he suppressed his fear, composed himself, knelt down, and kowtowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, I, Fang Congzhe, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, risk my life to report this!"

Everyone in the hall looked at Fang Congzhe, knowing that he was going to plead for Xu Zhuo and the others!

Otherwise, why would a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet kneel down and risk his life to submit a memorial?

Fang Congzhe ignored the astonished and uncertain gazes surrounding him, but couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He knew that pleading for the coup leader at this time would surely anger the emperor!

But thinking of the conduct of officials in Jiangnan, he had no choice but to step forward!

Moreover, he was aware of the officials' attempt to force him to abdicate beforehand.

Originally, it was thought that even if this move could not shake the new policies and dismiss Gong Dingzi, it would at least force Emperor Jingsheng to make concessions.

For example, the policy of "serving the people as one and paying taxes as one" can be temporarily suspended in the Jiangnan region.

But to everyone's surprise, Emperor Jingsheng was so determined to implement the new policies that he even summoned Jia Zijie.

He declared that if chaos broke out in Jiangnan, a large army would be sent south!

Now, not only has the attempt to force a resignation failed, but it also seems that many "old party core members" will be lost. It can be said that they tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead.

It can only be said that Jia Zijie gave the emperor the confidence to be tough on his officials. The emperor had never been so domineering and forceful before!

If Jia Zijie is not eliminated, the officials will likely have a hard time in the future!