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

In the small courtyard in front of the ancestral hall, at Jia Jing's command, more than twenty personal guards stepped forward simultaneously, moving with lightning speed.

Like dozens of cheetahs pouncing on a flock of sheep, they quickly dragged Jia Qiang, Jia Rui, Jia Qin, and others out with their hands bound.

These people were initially shouting that they were innocent or begging for mercy, but after hearing Jia Jing say that those who shouted would receive thirty strokes of the cane,

They were so frightened that they fell silent, their voices becoming noticeably weaker, and their legs went limp when they were led out.

Two more guards entered the ancestral hall, and a moment later, Jia Baoyu was carried out.

His knees were covered in dust, his eyes were dark, and there were still tear stains on his face. He had been kneeling all night and was clearly too weak to walk.

When it was placed on the stool in front of the stone steps, it immediately trembled like a frightened chick.

The guards pressed the group of people onto the benches and began to carry out the punishment, raising the boards high and striking them down one by one.

The sound of the board hitting flesh was dull and heavy, like a hammer hitting a wet cloth.

At first, a few people couldn't bear the pain and let out short screams, but later their voices weakened and eventually became inaudible.

The people in the courtyard were all somewhat horrified when they saw how fiercely the beating was being carried out.

Looking at his grandson Jia Rui, who was being beaten and screaming in agony, Jia Dairu's aged face underwent a complex transformation, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes. He couldn't help but plead with Jia Jing:

"Duke, it's easy for you to punish or scold your clansmen if they've made a mistake. I'm not pleading for them."

"But thirty strokes are indeed too many. If they are beaten solidly, they might be beaten to death. Do you think we should consider this carefully..."

Jia Dairu was still heartbroken, even though he kept saying that his wife doted on their grandson.

But he himself also loved and cared for her, he just didn't show it so obviously, he hid it more deeply!

After all, Jia Rui was the only surviving son of his deceased son and the only bloodline in their family. How could he really not care at all?

Otherwise, as the head of the family, if he really decided to discipline Jia Rui, unlike Jia Zheng who had a mother, how could his old wife possibly stop him!

Therefore, Jia Dairu and Jia Zheng are actually different. He is only strict in words, but he dotes on Jia Zheng just as much!

"So what if they're killed! They're all good-for-nothing, disgraceful spoiled brats. Their lives are just a waste of food."

"Now that he's dead, it'll save him from causing trouble in the future, bringing shame to our ancestors, and harming our clan!" Jia Jing said coldly.

Enforcement must be strict. Since today's event is to rectify the clan's customs, in order to serve as a warning to the clansmen present, Jia Jing naturally cannot show any room for leniency or compromise!

But then again, he probably won't die.

Despite the force of their blows, the guards were careful with their strength and used skillful techniques to ensure that they could injure the flesh but not the bones.

After all, his purpose is to learn from past mistakes and save lives, not to actually kill anyone!

Of course, if someone is really too weak, then they die, and it's no big deal!

Upon hearing this, Jia Dairu was struck dumb, his face turning ashen, his eyes filled with panic and fear.

After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but look at Jia Zheng beside him. Your Baoyu is about to be beaten to death, and you have nothing to say about it?

Jia Zheng, however, was completely oblivious to Jia Dairu's gaze. He was staring blankly at Jia Baoyu, who was being beaten, with a strange sense of satisfaction on his face.

Jia Daixiu, standing to the side, also looked somewhat shocked. Jia Jing's "cold" words sent a chill down his spine.

"If you kill someone, you kill them." Such indifferent words would not have been uttered so casually even by Jia Daishan and Jia Daihua back then!

For a moment, the courtyard fell silent, with only the crackling sound of the cane being struck. No one dared to plead for mercy.

The reason is that the young man standing in front of everyone at this moment is not just the simple patriarch of the Jia clan!

He was a first-class duke of the imperial court, a champion general, a peerless hero whose achievements could rival those of his ancestors and whose fame resounded throughout the world...

At this moment, Jia Zheng, with a hint of satisfaction on his face, withdrew his gaze from Jia Baoyu and sighed:

"Normally, when this wretched child of mine makes a mistake, it's harder than climbing to heaven for me, as his father, to discipline him."

"With Brother Jing enforcing the law impartially today, one of my wishes has been fulfilled."

"If minor mistakes are not punished and are instead tolerated, the children will later break the law, commit patricide or regicide, and then it will be too late to regret it!"

"But my little devil is an incorrigible and stubborn person, and I don't know how long these thirty lashes will keep him in check."

"In my opinion, perhaps we should just find a rope and strangle him to prevent future trouble!"

Jia Dairu and Jia Daixiu looked at each other, their expressions horrified: "..."

Has he gone mad? What kind of nonsense is he spouting?

Jia Jing somewhat understood Jia Zheng's feelings, and frowned slightly before saying:

"Second Uncle, there's no need to worry too much. The old lady came to me this morning to plead for her, and I've already spoken to her about it."

"Not only will Baoyu be punished with a beating, but once his injuries have healed, he will be confined to the clan school and only allowed to return to the mansion once every six months."

"In addition, his privileges as the eldest son should be revoked, and the second branch of the family should focus on cultivating Lan Ge'er from now on."

"Jade must be carved to become a useful object, and a person must learn to be righteous. Bao Yu's nature is not particularly bad."

"The problem lies in the old lady and Wang's boundless pampering, which fostered his cowardly, selfish, lazy, irresponsible, and spineless character."

"I just talked with my third sister and eldest sister. From now on, we need to focus on teaching the children in our household how to take responsibility, how to handle setbacks, and how to be independent."

"If overindulgence is not paired with 'ability,' 'boundaries,' and 'responsibility,' it can turn into a form of hidden abuse."

"It seems like we're protecting and spoiling them, but actually we're not giving them the space to experience setbacks, grow into adults, and become independent and self-reliant..."

Jia Jing and Jia Zheng discussed in detail the education of Jia Baoyu and the proposed punishments for Baoyu and Lady Wang.

In short, punishment is punishment, and education is education. Punishment is for the purpose of better education, and this point must be clearly explained.

Upon hearing Jia Jing's words, the solemn expressions of Jia Dairu, Jia Daixiu, and the other clansmen nearby eased, and they secretly sighed:

Although the Duke was ruthless, his intentions were good!

Moreover, if even the direct descendants and wives of the two families are dealt with so harshly, it seems reasonable to be stricter with the clansmen!

Compared to this, it suddenly didn't seem so hard to accept!

On the contrary, they felt that with such a wise, decisive, fair and selfless clan leader, the clan's future was truly promising...