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

Inside the study on the west side.

As Jia Jing sat back down on the embroidered stool, Baochai reached out and picked up the teacup on the table, taking a small sip and using the action to calm the burning heat on her cheeks.

Then she put down her teacup, slightly raised her almond-shaped eyes, and quietly observed the young man beside her, who had regained his calm and composed demeanor.

"Why did you write such a poem yesterday, brother? Is something troubling you at court?"

Baochai stretched out her slender fingers and twirled the poem manuscript "The Cold Wind" on the table, carefully choosing her words, and asked softly!

She was still very interested in officialdom and economics, especially being able to discuss these things with her beloved Jia Jing and understand his true thoughts as an important official in the court.

However, in the past, she was afraid to speak up because of Jia Jing's authority, fearing that she might say the wrong thing, and Jia Jing didn't have much free time either.

Now that we're closer, there's less of a reservation.

After all, judging from Jia Jing's past attitudes, he doesn't object to these young ladies from secluded families understanding current affairs!

Jia Jing, smelling the faint, cool fragrance emanating from Baochai, paused slightly, then spoke calmly and slowly:

"Last night, officials knelt at the Meridian Gate to petition the emperor, urging him to cancel the new policies and dismiss Gong Dingzi, the imperial commissioner in charge of reforming the bureaucracy in Jiangnan."

"Furthermore, Xu Zhuo, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Lu Shengnan, the Principal of the Ministry of Works, and Xie Jishi, the Censor, were so audacious that they spoke disrespectfully in the Qianqing Palace."

"They formed cliques for personal gain, deceived the emperor, threatened the emperor, and made irresponsible remarks that disrupted the government, which angered His Majesty. This is why I and several cabinet ministers were urgently summoned to the palace this evening."

This matter was not a secret. With the imperial edict announcing the case of factionalism, it was estimated that the news would spread throughout the capital city by today, so Jia Jing did not hide it!

Upon hearing this, Baochai frowned, her face showing surprise. She pursed her glossy, pale pink lips and asked in astonishment:

"What do you mean? A hundred officials are forcing the emperor to abdicate? How dare they be so audacious?"

Although she had seen stories of civil officials forcing the emperor to abdicate in historical records, such incidents were extremely rare in the current dynasty.

Especially now that Emperor Jingsheng's prestige is soaring, it's almost unbelievable.

Jia Jing's expression was stern, and his voice was cold as he said:

"Although the new policies were good policies that benefited the country and the people, they ultimately shook the interests of civil officials, gentry, and scholars across the country."

"Gong Dingzi's ruthless and forceful methods in Jiangnan have driven them to desperation!"

Baochai's almond-shaped eyes flickered, her heart skipped a beat, and she asked cautiously:

"My brother doesn't seem to like these people?"

"It's not that I don't like them, but that I don't like all those who are disloyal to their rulers and fathers, and who abandon their country and its people."

"Although the Han Dynasty is currently doing relatively well in its foreign wars, its internal troubles continue to increase."

"Not to mention the major clans in Jiangnan, their power is deeply entrenched, and many of them are corrupt and lawless, making them like a country within a country, a major cancer in the Han Dynasty."

"The refugees in Sichuan and Shaanxi have been causing constant unrest, and natural disasters have been frequent in Henan, Shandong and other places in recent years, resulting in a large number of deaths."

"In the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty, the people were destitute, starving corpses were everywhere, and infants were waiting to die from hunger and cold, while fish were waiting to be slaughtered."

"It can be said that the Han Dynasty has reached such a state that it is already showing signs of its end!"

"This is why His Majesty had to make the painful decision to implement new policies and rectify official corruption. But what about these officials and gentry?"

"They only care about their own interests, recklessly annexing land, evading taxes, forming cliques, engaging in corruption, and engaging in factionalism, without having any regard for the court or the people."

Jia Jing's voice was clear and resonant, his expression stern. Without beating around the bush, he said:

"Yesterday, His Majesty imprisoned Xu Zhuo and the other two in the Imperial City Prison and ordered Zhang Tingyu, the Second Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, to interrogate them under severe torture in order to launch a major purge and strictly regulate officialdom in connection with the factional case."

"And he ordered the cabinet to implement the capital inspection system, using performance evaluation to assess the merits and demerits of all officials. The virtuous and capable would remain, while the mediocre and incompetent would be dismissed; the diligent would be promoted, while the lazy would be removed."

"This time, the imperial court is determined to get serious! Just wait and see, how many officials in the capital will lose their heads, and how many will have their homes confiscated and be stripped of their posts because of this!"

Upon hearing Jia Jing's cold and stern words, Baochai's expression froze.

Although she had sensed from Jia Jing's poem that a storm was brewing and that something big might happen in the court, she never expected it to be this dangerous!

The phrase "suppressing a major prison" has always been synonymous with bloodshed, turmoil, and unrest!

A sense of unease welled up in Baochai's heart. Turning her fair face to Jia Jing, she asked with concern:

"Will this involve you, brother?"

Concern can cloud judgment, and Baochai's first thought was for the safety of her lover!

Looking into those watery almond-shaped eyes filled with worry, Jia Jing didn't mention that this was the result of his advice. Instead, he took Baochai's soft, white hand and gently comforted her:

"This is mainly a matter for civil officials; it has little to do with military achievements!"

"I'm telling you all this just to let you know that the capital city will not be peaceful for some time to come."

"After I finish dealing with clan matters today, I must go to the Twelfth Battalion to oversee operations in case of unforeseen circumstances. I'm afraid I won't have another chance to see my sister for at least a month!"

Baochai's fair, pear-like face flushed again, but she disregarded the shyness of their close physical intimacy, leaning closer to Jia Jing and raising her eyes to speak seriously:

"Brother should prioritize national affairs and need not worry about... family!"

Jia Jing took the opportunity to put his arm around the girl's waist, embracing the fair-faced, fragrant, and plump Baochai, and said gently:

"My younger sister is beautiful and intelligent, and always knows how to be sensible!"

"My personal guards are protecting the Western Mansion. Apart from a few people causing trouble occasionally, there aren't any other problems so far."

"Xuanwu is my trusted confidant in the East Mansion. He will stay here and guard the mansion. If you have any urgent matters, sister, you can send someone to find him and convey the message to me. I will then give him instructions!"

Baochai's body went slightly limp, and she gently rested her rosy cheeks on Jia Jing's shoulder.

She looked up at the young man's cold, sharp brows, his deep gaze like a dark sea, the shimmering light in his eyes beneath his delicate brows, a hint of infatuation in his eyes. Her fair face flushed, and she said softly:

"Brother, although you are exceptionally brave, you must still be careful when you are out there!"

"I usually spend my days reading, doing needlework, and raising lion cats at home; I don't have much else to do."

"As for my family... apart from my eldest brother who's a bit... unsettled, the rest are all fine!"

Although Baochai did not want to mention Xue Pan in front of Jia Jing, it just so happened that the topic came up, and she heard Jia Jing mention that things were not peaceful in the capital recently, so she secretly gave Xue Pan a heads-up in front of her husband.

To avoid her older brother causing trouble in the future, leaving her...too passive!

Jia Jing glanced at the beautiful young woman in his arms, guessing some of her thoughts, and seemingly casually offered a word of advice:

"His temperament is unsettled... As he gets older and experiences more, his temperament will be tempered."

"But under no circumstances should I break the law or act recklessly. I already have quite a few enemies in the court. If I really cause trouble, even if I want to help, I can't show favoritism!"

Jia Jing emphasized "violations of laws and regulations," which can be seen as a way of giving Baochai a heads-up!

When Xue Pan's case comes to light one day, and he has to go to jail for a few years to temper his temper, Baochai can't blame him for not giving him a warning beforehand!