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

In Rongqing Hall,

When Grandmother Jia heard Jia Jing's words, she felt for some reason that her third grandson was talking about shortness in front of a short person and hair in front of a bald person.

After all, if it weren't for this wicked child, the Rong and Ning mansions would probably be inferior to the Nan'an Prince's mansion.

Of course, my family didn't oppress the lower-ranking military households like they did, but given my eldest son's dissolute nature, he seemed to have done quite a few things that violated the rules!

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia's aged face froze for a moment, then she forced a smile and said:

"You should know these things in your heart; I'm just stating a few words!"

Zhen's eyes flickered, she pursed her pink lips, suppressed the tremor in her heart, and spoke softly:

"The Duke of Jing's words are profound! Only today do I realize that this reorganization of the army and the clearing of the military settlements is not only for the sake of the country and the lower-level military households, but also to give an account to those early heroes who followed the founding emperor in conquering the country."

"Their spirits in heaven would surely not want to see their descendants become like this."

After a pause, Madam Zhen's tone became even more sincere, and she said:

"Although the Prince of Beijing's mansion is not as powerful as those of Nan'an and Dongping, it still knows right from wrong."

"My lord gave the order yesterday that all the estates in the manor that are related to military settlements should be registered and reported, and returned within a specified period, with not a single acre left."

"His Highness also said that the Duke of Jing's military reorganization is to eliminate the ills of the country and to usher in an era of peace for all generations. The Prince of Beijing's Mansion is willing to follow suit and do its part."

This is flattery and actively siding with them!

Meeting Zhen Shi's gaze, which held a hint of reverence, Jia Jing picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said with a slightly softened expression:

"Prince Bei Jing is a rare person who is reasonable and knows the big picture. Although he has held a high position all these years, he has rarely used his power to oppress others."

"Your household is well-disciplined and upright, and I have not heard of any misdeeds such as seizing military land or oppressing the people. You are truly excellent!"

He paused, his gaze deepening, and then said meaningfully:

"And it doesn't owe the imperial court any debts..."

According to intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Prince Bei Jing, Shui Rong, is a wealthy prince, a fairly refined and upright man, and a lover of philosophical discussions.

I haven't done anything against the rules, but I'm not a person with practical abilities either!

The following sentence, which points out the deficit, naturally refers to the fact that the Zhen family owed the imperial court millions of taels of silver in Jiangnan.

If the Zhen family doesn't handle this matter properly, they will likely face the fate of having their property confiscated!

Out of consideration for today's occasion, Jia Jing gave Zhen Shi a heads-up!

Upon hearing this, Lady Zhen froze, her jade-like face suddenly hardening. What did the Duke of Jing mean by that?

Suddenly changing the topic from the issue of military farms to the fact that they don't owe the imperial court any debts, this must be a veiled message. Given his status, he wouldn't say something useless!

Yes!

This is a direct attack on her own maternal family, the Zhen family.

How could she not know that her family owed the court a large sum of money that they couldn't repay because they had welcomed the late emperor and the retired emperor many times in the past!

Actually, this involves not only money, but also the retired emperor, and the implications are far from minor...

Just as Madam Zhen was lost in thought, Madam Li put down her teacup, a warm smile spreading across her clean face, and said:

"My heart is warmed by what you said, Your Excellency. To be honest, after receiving the military order from the Ministry of Military Affairs yesterday, my father-in-law gave his instructions."

"It is a major plan of the imperial court to establish military settlements. All estates under the Nian family that are related to military settlements should be registered and reported without any delays. This is also my brother-in-law's idea!"

Jia Jing nodded, and after a moment's thought, said:

"Liang Gong and I correspond frequently, and I understand what he means!"

To be honest, Nian Gengyao hasn't been having a good time lately!

Since Sun Jiacheng impeached him for extravagance in the regular court, in the past month or so, countless upright censors have followed suit by submitting memorials impeaching him for crimes such as "arrogance based on merit", "forming cliques for personal gain", and "embezzlement and bribery".

This also led him to frequently write to Jia Jing, requesting that he "take care of things" in the court!

Jia Jing originally intended to find an opportunity to transfer him from Liaodong back to the capital to take up a post.

Firstly, to prevent him from staying in the border town for too long and becoming unruly, thus ending up like in history, being sentenced to death; secondly, to make room for Qin Qiong.

After all, no matter what, when he first joined the army, Nian Gengyao did indeed take care of him to some extent!

Meanwhile, Nian Shilan was looking at Jia Jing with her beautiful eyes. Upon hearing this, she was slightly startled. What was the meaning behind Duke Jing's words?

The second brother's letter must have mentioned his marriage many times. Duke Jing asked clearly, does this mean he agrees or... disagrees?

The group chatted for a few more minutes, and as the time was almost up, Sister Feng's phoenix eyes curved into a smile as she clapped her hands and said:

"Oh dear, once we start talking about serious matters, we can't stop! Today is the old lady's birthday, we can't let her go hungry! The feast is already set, Third Brother, do you think we can begin the banquet?"

Jia Jing glanced at the sky and nodded.

So everyone got up and prepared to take their seats.

Jia Jing went to the outer hall to drink and eat with the male guests and members of the Jia clan!

At the same time, news spread that the Prince of Nan'an and the Prince of Dongping had been dismissed from their posts and ordered to return to their residences to reflect on their actions. They were given three days to compile a list of all the military farmland they had illegally occupied and submit it to the authorities, and to return it voluntarily.

Or rather, many nobles in the capital city are waiting for the results of the visit to the Jia family by the Dowager Princess of Nan'an and the Heir Apparent of Dongping, in order to decide their next move!

As soon as the news broke that the Princess of Nan'an had been expelled from the Jia family mansion, the capital city was thrown into turmoil and undercurrents began to stir.

The Qianqing Palace, the inner study.

In the afternoon, Emperor Jingsheng was reviewing the memorials submitted by the Office of Transmission while listening to Xia Shouzhong report on what had happened at the Jia family mansion.

After listening, Emperor Jingsheng picked up his brush and wrote a line on the paper on his desk. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly asked:

"Who went to the Prince of Nan'an's residence yesterday?"

Despite the seemingly random and ambiguous statement, Xia Shouzhong understood Emperor Jingsheng's meaning and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, yesterday after the morning court session, Chen Ruiwen from the Duke of Qi's residence, Ma Shang from the Duke of Zhi's residence, Qi Jianhui from the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence, and Xie Jing from the Marquis of Dingcheng's residence all went to the Prince of Nan'an's residence."

"Mu Chen, the heir of the Prince of Dongping, arrived later. The group held a secret meeting in the mansion for about an hour and a half. What they talked about was not known to outsiders."

"All that is known is that after the gathering dispersed, Chen Ruiwen returned to his residence and summoned several retainers, Ma Shang sent people to Tongzhou overnight, and Qi Jianhui visited several noble residences."

"As they moved about, they expressed many complaints about the imperial court's military orders and the Duke of Jing."

Emperor Jingsheng put down his brush, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, his face still expressionless:

"It's not unexpected. Zijie's words at Rongqing Hall today were quite apt. These unworthy descendants have utterly disgraced their ancestors."

Xia Shouzhong dared not respond to this question, but simply bowed slightly and waited quietly to the side.

Emperor Jingsheng remained silent for a moment, then asked again:

"Is Madam Rong in her seventies this year?"