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

Jia Jing paused for a moment, then pondered and said:

"As I observe the two capitals and thirteen provinces of our great Han Dynasty, the most strategically important locations are in the north, not the south, and the most important administrative areas are the capital region and the Jiangnan region."

"The capital city is surrounded by the capital region, which controls the nine border regions and is the heart of the country; the Jiangnan region is the source of half the country's wealth, the origin of grain transport, and the source of salt profits, and is the lifeblood of the country."

"When the capital is secure, the court has a strong backbone; when the south is at peace, the nation has sufficient funds and provisions."

"As long as these two places truly push forward the military reorganization and new policies, the other provinces will merely follow the trend and achieve their goals, and it will be difficult for them to cause any major upheavals."

The so-called capital region of the Han Dynasty refers to the area centered on Shuntian Prefecture, where the capital was located, and including Beizhili, northern Shanxi, and northern Shandong.

The so-called Jiangnan region was based on Southern Zhili, and included Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Huguang as half of its wealth.

In other words, the capital region and the Jiangnan region accounted for more than half of the Han Dynasty's territory, and were also the most central and wealthiest areas!

As long as the imperial court's policies are implemented smoothly in these two places, things will fall into place naturally!

Emperor Jingsheng nodded and said:

"That's right! It's the capital region and Jiangnan! The capital region is already in dire straits, and the only thing left is to wait for the right moment. The only real problem that has been difficult to solve is Jiangnan."

As Emperor Jingsheng spoke, he suddenly turned around, took two memorials from his desk, and handed them to Jia Jing, saying:

"Zijie, take a look at this!"

Jia Jing got up, took the papers, and examined them one by one under the lamplight.

The first document was a secret report from Gong Dingzi, a cabinet minister, governor-general of southern Zhili, and imperial commissioner.

He wrote with extreme restraint, yet a chilling aura permeated every line.

Of the nine prominent families in Jiangnan, four have already been raided and their property confiscated, while the rest are resisting even more fiercely.

Each family had been entrenched in the local area for generations, combining official and commercial interests, with their protégés and old friends spread throughout the prefectures and counties.

The major salt merchants also colluded with local officials, employing a variety of methods to resist the law.

Following the cases of factionalism and assassination, the gentry secretly colluded with the White Lotus sect, inciting the masses and causing trouble in Yangzhou, Songjiang, Changshu and other places.

In the end of his memorial, he stated frankly that there was a sign of great chaos in Jiangnan, and that he would be unable to suppress the situation. Only the imperial court with severe punishments and heavy military force could quell it.

The second memorial was jointly signed by dozens of military officers from the southeastern garrison, but the wording was quite different.

The entire text avoids any real issues, focusing solely on Jia Jing and the General Military Administration Office, saying things like "the military reorganization and clearing of garrisons violated ancestral laws," "the investigation policy lost the trust of the soldiers and officers of the country," and "if border conflicts recur, I fear that before the disaster in the capital region has subsided, chaos will break out in the southeast." Every word and sentence is an attempt to defend the former Xun and the officers and officers of the garrisons.

Jia Jing put down the folding book, his expression calm, and said coldly:

"It seems that the affairs in the South cannot be controlled by Grand Secretary Gong alone."

"The investigation of deficits, the implementation of new policies, and the cleanup of officialdom had already touched the very core of the gentry and officials. In addition, the court was also carrying out military reorganization, which caused unrest in the army."

"Grand Secretary Gong is probably no longer able to command his troops. These people are not just paying lip service, but openly defying the court."

When news of the severe punishment of the Prince of Nan'an and his associates reaches Jiangnan, the south will likely descend into even greater chaos!

However, this may not be a bad thing for the imperial court. How can great order be achieved without great chaos?

Emperor Jingsheng sneered and said in a cold voice:

"If they dare to cause trouble, I dare to kill them! I've realized that you can't reason with these people; they only recognize weapons, nothing else!"

"My intention is that in two months, once the situation in the capital region is settled, I will find an opportunity to issue an edict ordering you, Zijie, to personally lead the Twelve Battalions of troops south."

"Not only must the southern armies be reformed, but the new policies, bureaucracy, and deficits must all be eradicated in one fell swoop. This stagnant pool of corruption in Jiangnan can only be cleaned up by your ruthless actions!"

The fact that the capital region was pacified in just a few days undoubtedly gave Emperor Jingsheng the confidence to use force to reorganize Jiangnan!

Time is of the essence; Emperor Jingsheng has no time to waste on Jiangnan!

Jia Jing immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens!"

It shouldn't take more than two months. Jia Jing has also been keeping an eye on intelligence from the south. According to a secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the White Lotus Rebellion is imminent, originally scheduled for September 8th!

The gentry of Jiangnan wanted to use the White Lotus Sect as a tool, but little did they know that the White Lotus Sect was also secretly using them to grow stronger!

If the White Lotus Sect were to start an uprising in Jiangnan, he would have no choice but to lead his troops there!

However, the specifics are still unclear, and many things are still under investigation. The situation in Jiangnan is very complex!

Emperor Jingsheng nodded, a deep emotion flickering in his eyes as he looked at Jia Jing, and said gently:

"Zijie, you've only been back from the Northwest for less than three months, and you immediately began reorganizing the Twelfth Regiment and the garrisons in the capital region. Now you're going to go south of the Yangtze River again."

"In terms of hardship, no one in the entire court has worked harder than you, but I cannot do without you now, nor can the court. Entrusting you with important military and national affairs is both my personal choice and my helplessness..."

Jia Jing cupped his hands again and said solemnly:

"Your Majesty is too kind. I am honored by Your Majesty's selection and appointment, which does not discriminate against my youth and low rank, and entrusts me with such an important task: to command the military and hold the purview of the Privy Council."

"Having assumed this position, I should naturally be loyal to the king's affairs. What I eat comes from the king's salary; what I live on comes from the people's livelihood. To share the king's burdens and to eliminate the people's ills, how dare I complain of hardship?"

Emperor Jingsheng's eyes were slightly red. He reached out and gently tapped the table, as if he had a thousand words weighing on his chest.

After a moment, he slowly stood up, walked to Jia Jing, reached out and tightly grasped Jia Jing's hand, seemingly moved by emotion, and said with emotion:

"Since I ascended the throne, I have seen nothing but rampant corruption and deteriorating border affairs. Although I have a strong desire to revitalize the country, the court is filled with mediocre officials, corrupt officials, and indecisive officials."

"The affairs of the world are numerous and complex, and success is difficult while failure is easy. I often feel lonely sitting here in the Qianqing Palace until I met you, my dear minister, and it truly feels like a fish in water."

Emperor Jingsheng paused, the candlelight flickering on the imperial desk, casting a faint light in his eyes, before continuing in a deep voice:

"Zijie, you have the talent of a king's advisor and unfathomable abilities. What is even more commendable is that you are loyal to your duties and care about the people. To have such a minister is already a blessing from our ancestors."

"...In short, I'll put it this way in advance: the weight of the nation rests solely on the shoulders of the two of us."

"Whether it's the capital region or Jiangnan, just go for it. Even if something terrible happens, I'll stand by your side!"

This kind of entrustment already implies that Jia Jing is not being treated as a subject!

The reason for this was that since entering officialdom, Jia Jing had repeatedly won battles, acted with extreme caution, and consolidated imperial power single-handedly.

He pacified powerful enemies abroad, reorganized the army at home, and showed no signs of forming cliques or engaging in private affairs, which led Emperor Jingsheng to see him as the only hope for the revival of the Han Dynasty!

Now we can say that all that's left is Jiangnan. Once we clean up this mess in Jiangnan, the restoration of the Han Dynasty will be just around the corner!

Jia Jing's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Emperor Jingsheng and respectfully bowed, replying:

"Your Majesty's words carry immense weight. How could I not repay them with my life, even unto death! For the sake of the nation and Your Majesty, I would have no regrets even if I were to die ten thousand times!"

Emperor Jingsheng quickly helped him up and said gently:

"There's no need for formalities between us, ruler and subject! I'm simply telling you to act with confidence and integrity; I will never doubt or betray you!"

Patting Jia Jing on the shoulder, Emperor Jingsheng calmed himself down, sat down again, and resumed his usual composed demeanor, saying:

"How many days will it take you to get a general picture of the situation in the capital region? I'll let the cabinet and the Ministry of Revenue make preparations as soon as possible."

Jia Jing pondered for a moment:

"I propose to complete the tasks of arresting people, clearing land, distributing land, and reorganizing the troops in the capital region within ten days after the suppression of the rebellion, and to establish the General Military Administration Office. The remaining details can be handed over to Lan Yu and the Military Supplies Department for continued supervision."

"The Prince of Nan'an and others can be escorted to the capital within three days. After their execution, I will simultaneously promote the military-agricultural settlements in the capital region and prepare for the southward advance."

This trip to Jiangnan will likely last quite a while, so we need to make preparations in advance!

Emperor Jingsheng nodded:

"Alright. Let's set the date after winter. You'll go to Jiangnan, just in time for the year-end accounting and deficit clearing. I've ordered the Imperial City Guard to thoroughly investigate Jiangnan, and once the opportunity arises, you'll lead your troops there!"

He paused, then suddenly laughed:

"The Empress was telling me today that she's arranging a marriage for you. Tomorrow she'll summon all the noblewomen in the capital to bring their daughters to the palace for a selection, and it seems someone from your household will be included... Perfect timing to settle your marriage before heading south!"

Jia Jing was taken aback, then said with a somewhat unnatural expression:

"Your Majesty and Her Majesty, I will leave the decision to you..."

It's highly likely to be Daiyu and Baochai. In recent days, he has also spread some rumors about the two of them at the Imperial City Guard!

Emperor Jingsheng looked at the slightly hesitant young man and chuckled, saying:

"I await the day I bestow a marriage upon you!"

When his little rascal grows up, the person in front of him might have to call him "Father Emperor"!

Outside the window, the faint sound of the watchman's drum could be heard from the watchtower. The Mid-Autumn Moon had risen high and was extremely white, immersing the entire imperial city in its clear, cool moonlight.

The emperor and his minister talked for about half an hour, and by the time Jia Jing left the Qianqing Palace, it was almost midnight.

He looked back from below the steps and saw that the lights were still on in the imperial study, and Emperor Jingsheng was still bent over his desk reviewing memorials. Jia Jing straightened his clothes and, bathed in moonlight, headed out of the palace.