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

Jingming Hall

Hearing Jia Jing's idea of ​​arranging an escape route at this time, Zhuque paused slightly, and said in a low voice with a hint of confusion:

"My lord! Is such caution necessary? You now enjoy the deep trust of the palace, hold the highest position among officials, and have the power to control the armies of the realm;"

"General Qin Qiong is in Liaodong, commanding half of the 100,000 border troops; the 300,000 soldiers in the four northwestern garrisons were also brought up by you. With just a call to arms, you will surely win countless provisions and followers."

"These 180,000 troops of the Twelfth Battalion of Shenjing were personally trained by you, and almost all of the lower-ranking military officers are our men."

"With your own military strength to protect the country and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and now with four great generals, such formidable power means that, to put it bluntly, the rise and fall of dynasties and the prosperity and decline of nations are all within your grasp. Why would you need to prepare any escape route..."

It wasn't that Zhuque questioned Jia Jing's decision; it was simply that their strength was too great, and they couldn't see anyone or any force in the entire world that could threaten them!

In short, the trend has been set, and the advantage is in our hands!

After Zhuque finished speaking, Lan Yu abruptly stood up. The copper studs on his armor gleamed coldly in the candlelight. His face, weathered by wind and sand, was full of fierce courage. His thick eyebrows stood on end, and his voice boomed like a bell. He cupped his hands and said:

"Your Excellency! This humble general agrees with Zhuque's opinion! We now have a strong army and numerous fierce generals; who in the world can rival us!"

"Those so-called pseudo-Qing dynasty or Jiangnan gentry—if the ruler doesn't trust them, just give me 100,000 troops, and I guarantee I'll wipe them all out within six months!"

Chang Yuchun, who had been leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, grinned as he listened to Lan Yu's witty remarks. The smile spread across his rugged face, making him look like a tiger that had been amused.

He raised his hand and pressed down on Lan Yu's shoulder, pushing Lan Yu back into the chair. The force was just right, but Lan Yu's towering body was immobilized by his single hand.

"Alright, alright, what are you yelling about? You're deafening me!"

Chang Yuchun chuckled and cursed, then turned to Jia Jing. A rare seriousness flickered in his ringed eyes. His voice was a few decibels deeper than Lan Yu's, yet every word carried an arrogant air of dominance. He said in a deep voice:

"However... my lord, to put it bluntly, you have a simpleton like Lan Yu, a taciturn old Xu, and me, Lao Chang, under your command. If one day you really have to resort to your escape route, then none of us need to live!"

Upon hearing their conversation, Jia Jing smiled. This fiery temperament truly befits a valiant general in the early days of the dynasty.

He didn't rush to make a judgment, but instead looked at Xu Da and Qi Jiguang and asked:

"What do you two think?"

Xu Da stood up and, without hesitation, cupped his hands in greeting, saying:

"This humble general is a rough man, only knowing to obey your orders, sir!"

Qi Jiguang pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said:

"My lord! If you wish to ascend the throne, then there is indeed no need for a retreat. We are confident that we can support you and defeat all rebellious enemies!"

"If you only aspire to be a minister who restores the dynasty rather than a founding emperor, then you must... prepare early!"

"Since ancient times, there have never been two suns in the sky, nor two rulers among the people. No matter how much the current emperor trusts you, Han Xin suffered the disaster at Weiyang Palace, and Yue Fei suffered the injustice at Fengbo Pavilion. Were they incapable of fighting, or did they lack sufficient troops?"

"Even if we assume the current emperor remains true to his original intentions, what about his successors? Or, ten thousand years from now, will your descendants face retribution?"

"After all, the reforms you are about to undertake are destined to offend the people of the world, and there is no turning back. If you cannot establish a new dynasty, you must retire gracefully and seek another place to establish your foundation!"

"However, a retreat is not a way to escape, but rather a precautionary measure, ensuring that the Duke always has a choice. Only by having options at all times can one truly remain invincible!"

Those present were all taken aback upon hearing this. A hint of satisfaction flashed across Jia Jing's calm face. Qi Jiguang's insight was profound, and although his words were not entirely accurate, they were not far off!

To be honest,

Judging from Emperor Jingsheng's current behavior, he is not actually worried about being discarded or killed after his usefulness is over.

Or rather, even now, from the perspective of strength alone, Emperor Jingsheng can no longer do this!

However, as Qi Jiguang said, a way out is not just a way to retreat, but more importantly, it is a way to plan far ahead for the future!

Emperor Jingsheng treated him as a national hero, so he naturally could not betray his trust and repay kindness with enmity. Later, relying on his merits and power, he deceived the emperor and usurped the throne!

So here's the question! Five years later, when the Han Dynasty is restored and the world is at peace, what will he do then?

Is it better to relinquish military power and live a carefree life as a prince?

Or should we lead our troops overseas to expand our territory and find another place to conquer new lands?

There seem to be two options, but the first option is actually not feasible at all!

Because once someone reaches a position second only to the emperor, he cannot relinquish his military power and completely entrust his life and death to others!

Even if he were willing, his arrogant and fierce generals would not allow it.

Who knows, one day he might be forced to wear an extra layer of clothing!

This is not unfounded speculation, but rather how things are in the political arena. Once you reach a high position, you no longer represent just yourself, but the interests of an entire military group behind you.

Just like Cao Cao's situation back then, even if he pacified the world, he could not choose to return power to the emperor and retire to his hometown!

It wasn't just the fear of being purged, but also the fear that countless people behind him wouldn't allow Prime Minister Cao to do such a thing!

Therefore, as long as the military power is not relinquished and the Embroidered Uniform Guard is not disbanded, the main contradictions of the Han Dynasty will inevitably shift to the internal as external affairs are pacified.

The conflict between the military group he represents and the imperial power will only intensify day by day, and it is foreseeable that they will eventually become irreconcilable!

In conclusion, if Jia Jing did not choose to rebel, he had only one option: after restoring the Han Dynasty, he would lead a portion of his army overseas to expand his territory and establish a new kingdom.

Actually, this might not be a bad choice!

After all, the world is so vast now, there's no need to focus solely on the Han Dynasty's small territory and let our own people fight to the death!

Why then did Jia Jing choose Luzon?

This naturally takes into account many factors, such as the strategic security of the geographical location, the abundance of resources, and the potential for development!

First, Luzon was relatively close to the core area of ​​the Han Dynasty and had mature navigation technology, which facilitated the initial transfer of personnel and supplies and subsequent control.

The land is fertile, producing abundant rice and tropical crops, and rich in mineral resources, enabling it to quickly achieve self-sufficiency.

Secondly, controlling Luzon means controlling the trade routes in Southeast Asia, which brings huge economic benefits.

Finally, considering the timeline, it is now the early Qing Dynasty, and Western colonizers such as Spain have already begun to move eastward. Controlling Luzon would undoubtedly be an effective way to curb Western shipping routes in the Pacific.

However, Jia Jing's ultimate destination was not actually Luzon. Luzon was just a stepping stone. If he really wanted to go to sea in the future, his first choice would be California in North America.

It's important to understand that California at this time was truly a treasure trove, not only because it had a geopolitical vacuum and no historical baggage, but also because its resources were unparalleled.

Its central valley is one of the world's most fertile agricultural areas, with a pleasant climate.

More importantly, California has gold. The gold rush of the 19th century proved its rich mineral resources, and controlling gold means controlling future wealth.

If an epic "Great Exploration of the East" could be launched, assembling a massive fleet, carrying agronomists, craftsmen, soldiers, seeds, and tools, and crossing the Pacific Ocean.

After landing, they quickly established settlements in the central valley, using it as a center to gradually expand north and south. Within 20 years, they built a powerful "Republic of China" on the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean. This was truly a magnificent feat that laid the foundation for an everlasting dynasty...

Of course, it's too early to say all this now, but he's used to thinking three steps ahead for every one step he takes, and making some preparations in advance!