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

After pondering for a moment, Jia Jing, with a calm expression, addressed the crowd:

"A man who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present! Yuan Jing's idea is correct. At all times, we must have the option to make choices. Sending Tian De and Bo Ren to conquer Luzon Island and securing a backup plan is also for the long-term benefit of the future!"

"My mind is made up on this matter! There is no need for further discussion! Soon the General Office of Military Affairs will issue a document appointing the two of you to assist in military affairs, respectively overseeing the naval and land affairs of Guangdong and Guangxi, and concurrently managing coastal defense and land reclamation. After you have rendered meritorious service, I will then petition the Emperor to appoint the two of you as the overall commanders of the southern military affairs."

At this time, Luzon was under Spanish colonial control! Guangdong was the closest territory of the Han Dynasty to Luzon, and it had a mature navy and coastal defense system.

Giving Xu Da and Chang Yuchun a military assignment in Guangdong and Guangxi, allowing them to train troops, reorganize the army, and clear the coastal defenses in the area from the Pearl River Estuary to Qiongzhou, while secretly preparing for the operation of Luzon, was undoubtedly the most suitable cover.

The reason why Xu Da and Chang Yuchun were chosen to do this task is...

It was because Xu Da was calm, steady, and had a broad perspective. He was good at handling complex domestic and foreign affairs, and could get along with all kinds of people and coordinate relationships between various parties.

Historically, he was not only a commander who won every battle, but also an outstanding military and political talent and strategist. He was concise and insightful, his orders were always carried out without question, and he shared weal and woe with his soldiers. Wherever he went, the military and civilians were at peace.

Add to that the peerless general Chang Yuchun, and you'll have more than enough to handle all the problems in the south!

"Yes, Your Excellency!" Xu Da and Chang Yuchun's expressions turned solemn, and they immediately bowed and accepted the order!

Jia Jing nodded and said:

"You two will lead four hundred of my personal guards south, with Tiande as the leader. Also, when you pass through Jiangnan, there's some business with the White Lotus Sect that you need to handle. Zhuque will explain the details to you later!"

Ever since Jia Jing planned to use the White Lotus Sect as a cover for some inconvenient tasks, a large number of Imperial Guards from Jiangnan have infiltrated the White Lotus Sect, and some have even become high-ranking leaders.

Not long ago, news came back that the turmoil in Jiangnan was escalating, and the gentry of Jiangnan were secretly contacting the White Lotus Sect to start an uprising. Jia Jing just happened to send Xu Da and Chang Yuchun to take control of the situation and carry out some plans on his behalf.

……

Meanwhile, in Rongqing Hall of the Rongguo Mansion,

Grandmother Jia was reclining on the daybed, with a slightly worn dark blue pillow behind her. Yuanyang was sitting on the edge of the bed, cracking walnuts with a small silver hammer, peeling them one by one and placing them in a small dish.

Amber stood behind the tatami mat, fanning herself slowly.

The room was filled with a faint scent of agarwood, mixed with the fragrance of osmanthus drifting in from outside the window. The aroma was sweet but not cloying, enveloping everyone in a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Aunt Xue sat on the first chair at the bottom, wearing a light brown jacket with trim, her fair face beaming with smiles, chatting absentmindedly with Grandmother Jia.

Madam Wang sat opposite Aunt Xue, clutching a string of sandalwood prayer beads in her hand. Her eyelids were half-closed, and her face was somewhat unpleasant. She occasionally nodded in response.

Fengjie sat beside Tanchun, the two of them holding a list and discussing the banquet arrangements for Grandmother Jia's birthday banquet the next day.

Today, Sister Feng was wearing a narrow-sleeved bright red satin jacket embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, with a beaded bun on her head. Her phoenix eyes were slightly upturned, and she looked more energetic than usual.

There was only a thin layer of powder under her eyes, and a faint bluish-black tinge was visible underneath, which was the result of her restless night and lack of sleep.

Daiyu leaned against a chaise longue by the window, holding a book of poems in her hands. Her delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and her gaze was fixed on the pages, but she did not turn a single page for a long time.

She looked better than yesterday, with a faint rosy glow on her cheeks and a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth.

On one side, Madam Xing, Li Wan, Baochai, Yuanchun, Yingchun, Xichun, Xiangyun, Xing Xiuyan and others sat in rows.

At this moment, Grandmother Jia, who was at the head of the table, said to Tan Chun:

"Third Sister, why hasn't Baoyu's father arrived yet? Wasn't he supposed to have finished court long ago?"

Seeing that Aunt Xue, who was usually quick-witted and cheerful, was unusually restless today, and that her attempts to talk to her were fruitless, Grandmother Jia knew that she was worried about the outcome of Prince Teng's punishment.

Today's grand court assembly should allow the Emperor to address the events of last night. Grandmother Jia is thinking of asking Jia Zheng to reassure Aunt Xue.

"For some reason, there are quite a few guests visiting today, including Father's officials from the Ministry of Works and Prince Bei Jing, among others. Father can't very well refuse to see them all!" Tan Chun said with a smile.

Because tomorrow is Grandmother Jia's birthday banquet, and Jia Jing said yesterday that some relatives and friends could be received, the Rongguo Mansion is not completely closed to guests today.

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng laughed and said:

"They must all know the old lady is giving birth tomorrow, and they're rushing here to get some of her good fortune!"

"You monkey, you're talking nonsense! Prince Bei Jing and the others are of such high status, why would they need to share in the good fortune of an old woman!" Grandmother Jia said with a laugh.

As the wedding day approached, the minor misunderstandings between her and Sister Feng seemed to disappear on their own!

It must be said that Grandmother Jia, who is nearly eighty years old, is still very good at adjusting her mindset; otherwise, she would not have lived so long.

Seeing the two chatting and laughing so freely, Madam Wang, sitting to the left, paused with her prayer beads, her gaze revealing indifference.

After a while, a maid entered the hall to report:

"Grandma, Master is here!"

Before long, the curtain was lifted and Jia Zheng stepped in.

He was wearing court robes, clearly having come from the morning court session without changing. Aunt Xue and the others rose to greet him upon his arrival. Grandmother Jia also sat up straight, glanced at him, and asked:

"Zheng'er! It's been quite some time since court ended, why haven't you changed out of your court robes yet?"

It's almost noon, I mustn't let my frail son get too hot in his court robes!

"I've been entertaining guests the whole time and haven't had a chance to change!" Jia Zheng replied.

Grandmother Jia had someone pour tea and fan Jia Zheng, carefully choosing her words before asking:

"Was today's court session successful? Did the Emperor say how to handle it...?"

Although Grandmother Jia did not finish speaking, Jia Zheng had already vaguely guessed what his mother wanted to ask, and sighed deeply:

"At today's court assembly, His Majesty was furious and issued an edict that all principal offenders in the cases involving the Duke of Shan and the Marquis of Pingyuan shall be executed by slow slicing, their entire families wiped out, and their property confiscated."

"Fang Congzhe and other officials involved in the case who embezzled more than one thousand taels of silver shall, in accordance with the old system of Emperor Taizu, be skinned alive, stuffed with straw, and hung in the West Market as a warning to others."

Upon hearing this, Rongqing Hall fell silent, and the faces of Madam Wang, Aunt Xue, and the others turned deathly pale!

Aunt Xue, not caring about being presumptuous, quickly asked:

"This... Pan'er's uncle wouldn't also... skin... and stuff... the herbs, would he?"

The last few words were spoken with a slight tremor in his voice.

The Jia family sisters, who had been smiling, now all froze, exchanging surprised and suspicious glances!

Jia Zheng shook his head and said:

"I don't know about this either! His Majesty was referring to embezzlement, but Baoyu's uncle was convicted of bribery. I reckon they'll also investigate the source of his family's wealth. If it's their own money, that won't be a problem, but if it's stolen money, it'll be difficult..."

"what……"

Aunt Xue and Madam Wang both cried out in surprise, their eyelids rolled back, and their bodies went limp and they swayed to one side!