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

Lady Wang and Aunt Xue were supported by Yuan Chun and Baochai. Their faces were pale and their eyes were filled with tears. They almost fainted on the spot!

Wang Ziteng is their own brother, their family's source of strength. They were already feeling bad when they heard he was imprisoned yesterday, but who knew they would hear such a devastating shock today!

Whether or not they embezzled, how could their younger sisters not know at all? Or rather, how many of those who offered bribes would not accept them?

Grandmother Jia's expression also changed drastically, her eyes filled with fear, and she asked in a hoarse voice:

"Those one or two hundred people arrested yesterday, are they all to be stripped... and subjected to such extreme torture?"

The phrase "peeling the skin and stuffing the grass" was something that Grandmother Jia couldn't bring herself to say; just thinking about it made her scalp tingle!

Jia Zheng nodded solemnly and said:

"Even if not all, it's probably eight or nine out of ten!"

"This..." Grandmother Jia's face froze, her heart pounding with shock!

She couldn't understand how things had suddenly escalated to such a horrifying point. In her nearly eighty years of memory, she had rarely seen the palace punish its officials so cruelly!

Meanwhile, Sister Feng, Yuan Chun, Tan Chun, and others also had changing expressions and solemn demeanor.

After all, Wang Ziteng was their uncle and maternal uncle. If it was just dismissal from office or punishment with caning and exile, they could accept it to some extent, even if they couldn't bear it. After all, the officialdom was full of ups and downs, and fortune and misfortune were unpredictable!

But hearing that he was likely to suffer such torture, it was hard not to be moved and feel sorry for him!

Baochai also sighed softly, a layer of worry covering her fair and delicate face.

Jia Zheng explained:

"Baoyu's uncle was just unlucky this time; he happened to arrive just as His Majesty was about to rectify official corruption!"

"In fact, many court officials advised today that skinning people alive and stuffing them with straw was against the natural order, and that those who were coerced should be punished leniently, but His Majesty did not heed their advice. In fact, more than a dozen upright officials who offered such advice were all imprisoned..."

Jia Zheng sighed softly and recounted the events of the morning court session.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions were filled with surprise and uncertainty. Although they didn't understand many things, they could sense the danger in the words.

Grandmother Jia sighed in a hoarse voice:

"Today's court assembly resulted in the arrest of more than ten officials. Although they all deserved their punishment, it shows that the court is indeed in turmoil lately!"

"By the way, regarding Baoyu's uncle, does Jing'er have any say on this matter...?"

Upon hearing Grandmother Jia mention Jia Jing, Aunt Xue and the others all turned their gazes toward Jia Zheng, waiting for his reply.

Now, if there is any chance of a turnaround, it probably depends on whether Jia Jing can put in a good word for them.

Jia Zhengdao:

"After court, Jing-ge'er went to have a private audience with the Emperor, and I haven't seen his face yet!"

"However, I reckon he's busy with important matters at the Prime Minister's Office right now and doesn't have time for anything else!"

At this point, Jia Zheng's expression brightened slightly. Jia Jing's sudden appointment as Minister of Military Affairs during the morning court session was something he had never expected!

"What government office?" Grandmother Jia asked hesitantly.

After all, he was an old master of the Jia family, and he immediately grasped the new terminology that Jia Zheng was using.

Jia Zheng's cheeks flushed slightly, and he said with a hint of excitement:

"The General Military Administration Office! This is a newly established office by His Majesty today, which oversees the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions, and manages all military and political affairs of the court."

"Jingge'er has been appointed Minister of Military Affairs, in charge of the government, and has also been granted the rank of General of the Cavalry, a second-rank official!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was immediately stunned!

Immediately, as if a warm, joyful breeze swept through the entire Rongqing Hall, it dispelled the gloom over the matter of Prince Teng and brought joy to the faces of the Jia family sisters in the hall.

"It hasn't been long, and... he's been promoted again?" Grandmother Jia asked in a shocked and incredulous voice.

The political situation in the court is so treacherous that officials are either beheaded or imprisoned, their lives hanging by a thread. How come my third grandson has been promoted again?

This seems somewhat illogical!

And this so-called Prime Minister of Military Affairs, why does it sound like he has boundless power, in charge of all military and political affairs? Isn't he just the Grand Marshal of the Army and the People's Liberation Army?

Meanwhile, Fengjie, who had been listening to Jia Zheng and Jia Mu's conversation from below, narrowed her eyes. Her fair face changed from sorrow to joy. Even though she already knew that he was an extraordinary person, she was still somewhat shocked by his sudden promotion!

I remember the old lady once said that this second-rank general seemed to be the highest official position that a military officer could achieve!

Is my third brother already at the top at such a young age?

At this moment, Daiyu held the poetry collection in her hands, her bright, dark eyes slightly dazed, her heart filled with a mixture of joy and surprise.

Her focus differed from Sister Feng's; she knew that the so-called "Second-Rank General of the Cavalry" was merely a promotion of one rank.

More importantly, the real position of Minister of Military Affairs, who oversaw the Five Military Commissions and the Ministry of War, and was in charge of all military affairs in the country, was incredibly powerful!

Even... even saying that he is second only to one person and above ten thousand others wouldn't be an exaggeration!

Zijuan, standing behind Daiyu, also beamed with joy as she looked at her mistress, feeling proud of her.

She saw it last night: the Duke holding her young mistress's hand, and they even seemed to hug at the courtyard gate.

Their relationship had long surpassed that of normal siblings. They figured the Duke was likely their future son-in-law, so naturally they would share both glory and hardship…

Not only were Daiyu and her maid overjoyed, but at that moment, the worry on Baochai's face seemed to vanish instantly.

A barely perceptible joy shone on her pear-like, fair face, and her moist almond-shaped eyes held a dazed expression, like ripples on a still lake.

My son Jinglang is a rare and extraordinary man in the world. Even the emperor in the palace trusts him to the extreme, giving him such power to manage all military and political affairs. What kind of imperial favor would allow him to delegate such power!

At this moment, upon hearing Grandmother Jia's question, or rather, in a state of shock and self-reflection, Jia Zheng replied with a touch of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and regret):

"Indeed! Jing-ge'er is now the only second-rank general in our Great Han. In terms of official rank, all the current military generals are below him and under his command. His status and power are even greater than those of the former Rong and Ning ancestors."

Towards the end, his voice trembled slightly with emotion.

Although the two Dukes of Rong and Ning were granted the title of Second-Rank General, they had absolutely no authority to control the army in the country!

He had no experience of being granted the title of Duke and General at such a young age, becoming the undisputed number one military hero of the Han Dynasty!

In terms of rank, authority, military merit, or anything else, Jia Jing has surpassed his ancestors in every way!

Grandmother Jia smiled with a somewhat complicated expression and said:

"Jing-ge'er is indeed commendable! However, his position has now reached its limit. Any further advancement, whether in titles or official posts, will be virtually impossible!"