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

Feng Jie's pretty face was also full of surprise, and her breathing became a little rapid. To command 100,000 troops, what kind of power was that!

Managing a few hundred people in one's own residence feels like having great power; how prestigious would it be to command a hundred thousand people!

Jia Jing ignored what they thought and continued:

"After the ancestral worship ceremony tomorrow, I will be inviting the head of the Wang family, the two marquises of the Shi family, and Wu Xun from the founding line to discuss important matters in a few days. Second Master, please come as well!"

"Second sister-in-law sent someone to tidy up Rongxi Hall and prepare some utensils."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng stroked his beard and nodded, saying:

"That's exactly right! Baoyu's uncle and his two cousins ​​from the Shi family have long wanted to meet you, Jing-ge!"

Conferring titles and honors, and hosting banquets for guests and friends—this is only natural!

Jia Zheng didn't think much of it. He was very pleased that the Jia family had such an outstanding descendant as Jia Jing, and that the Duke's mansion finally had a successor.

Grandmother Jia, with a smile on her face, said:

"Our four families are closely connected. Now that you, Jing-ge, have made something of yourself, you should visit them more often!"

"It's just the founding line of military merit; would it be inappropriate for them to gather without a reason? What about the Emperor...?"

Grandmother Jia was very pleased that Jia Jing was willing to get closer to the Shi family!

After all, the Shi family was her maternal family.

Historians have had it tough these past few years. Although having two members from one family who held high positions might seem prestigious, it hasn't been easy.

However, neither Shi Ding nor Shi Nai held any important positions; they had titles but no real power, and their lives were not particularly good.

If Jing-ge could lend a hand, that would be wonderful!

She was even thinking about whether she could arrange for Shi Xiangyun to be Jia Jing's principal wife!

However, she was somewhat worried about Jia Jing gathering the military elites from the founding lineage, since these elites controlled considerable military power.

If they were to gather together, it would inevitably cause the palace to have some concerns, and it would be considered taboo.

If someone has a wedding or funeral, you can send a gift or set up a tent, etc.

But to gather without a reason, especially since they are all of the same generation as the head of the family, is somewhat presumptuous!

Madam Wang's expression froze, and she even stopped drinking her tea!

What she was thinking was that Jia Jing would seize power as soon as he returned to the mansion.

In the past, when the Rongguo Mansion dealt with the outside world, it was always Jia Zheng who took the lead; even Jia She and Jia Zhen could not fully represent the Jia family.

After all, the Wang family recognized Jia Zheng, and many of the founding military officers looked down on Jia She.

Now that Jia Jing has returned, he will be representing the Jia family to contact these relatives and old friends, which makes her somewhat wary!

Furthermore, Jia Jing directly wanted to use Rongxi Hall, which was previously reserved for the second branch of the Rongguo Mansion.

But she didn't say anything. After all, neither Jia Zheng nor Grandmother Jia had any objections, so even if she had any, she could only keep it to herself.

A smile graced Fengjie's bright face. She glanced at Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, then quickly agreed, saying:

"My third brother has given the order, and my second sister-in-law will definitely arrange everything perfectly for you!"

Jia Jing then addressed Grandmother Jia:

"Many old ladies are unaware of what's happening outside! There are some things I can't tell you either. In short, I am wholeheartedly loyal to the king, and I will not do anything taboo!"

Jia Jing naturally wouldn't tell Grandmother Jia that this was Emperor Jingsheng's intention.

Jia Jing guessed that Emperor Jingsheng specifically mentioned the founding line of Wu Xun because he intended for him to use their strength to gain a foothold in the Ba Shang camp!

After all, a fence needs three posts and a hero needs three helpers. How could one person possibly fight against so many Jingnan warriors who had overthrown the camp?

However, Jia Jing would not tell Grandmother Jia and the others about these things.

In many matters, one must learn to be cautious in speech and action, especially in matters concerning the emperor's private conversations, which should never be publicized.

Especially if you make it public knowledge before you've even done it, that's foolish!

Grandmother Jia was taken aback by these words. In the mansion, she was used to hearing flattery from people like Feng Jie.

All I could hear were things like, "The old lady knows so much," and "I learned so much from her today."

As a result, when it came to this grandson, it became a situation where there were many things you didn't know, and I couldn't tell you.

It's like there are many things I'm not qualified to know, it's really a headache!

This grandson is too imposing and difficult to approach; my own precious jade is much better…

Grandmother Jia composed herself and said in an annoyed tone:

"If you men outside are careful in your dealings, I'd be happy to have less to worry about!"

"Take today's incident where you angered the Duke of Zhao to the point of vomiting blood, for example. Wasn't that a bit too much? He is the Emperor Emeritus's favorite minister."

Jia Jing said with a solemn expression:

"This is a trivial matter! Since ancient times, there have never been two suns in the sky. Our Great Han Dynasty has only one emperor, the current one. There's no need to mention the retired emperor or anything like that again!"

Grandmother Jia almost choked on her breath. Making a Duke vomit blood was a minor matter.

Is it because you're ignorant or because you're too arrogant?

Jia Jing ignored what Grandmother Jia thought and continued:

"After the ancestral worship ceremony tomorrow, I intend to establish some rules for clan affairs, so I'm informing you all beforehand."

As soon as Jia Jing finished speaking, Grandmother Jia thought to herself: They're here! They're here! They've finally arrived!

Grandmother Jia knew that Jia Jing would cause trouble when he returned!

Sure enough, he was about to set new rules for the clan on his very first day back!

Jia Jing picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued:

"The eight branches of the Shenjing family are all blood relatives of the Jia family who followed the two Dukes Rong and Ning to the capital. Now, they are favored by the Emperor and protected by their ancestors, and have made some small contributions."

"It is only right to give back to the clan, care for the elderly and the young, help those in distress and need, do something for the clan, and make some plans for the clan's future."

"I've saved up some money over the years! I plan to take out a portion of it, firstly as relief for the widowed, orphaned, and elderly in the clan, and secondly as a monthly subsidy for those in the clan who are struggling to make ends meet."

"On the other hand, it is used for the education of the younger members of the clan, to cultivate those who aspire to fame and fortune on the battlefield, to learn literature and martial arts, and to become pillars of the family and the country! My Jia family calls itself a family of scholars and officials, but we cannot be without even a few scholars, officials, and military officers..."

Before Jia Jing could finish speaking, Jia Zheng clapped his hands and exclaimed in praise:

"Excellent! Jing-ge'er's words are truly wise! It's rare for Jing-ge'er to not forget his clan and to perform such a righteous act. He is truly virtuous and talented, making his uncle ashamed!"

Tan Chun, Xiang Yun, and the others standing to the side were also filled with admiration. As expected of the Third Brother, his first thought upon returning was to help those in distress and be friendly to the clan.

This is what a man who does great things in the world should be like: he values ​​long-term goals over material wealth, and he has vision and foresight.

Daiyu blinked her clear, autumn-water-like eyes. It was true that her third brother was friendly to the clan, but she always felt that things were not so simple.

She didn’t believe that her third brother, who had spoken so sternly and had such a strong personality in Rongqing Hall that day, would have changed his ways. She was probably being kind first and then stern, with no small ambition in mind!

Sister Feng also looked at Jia Jing with considerable suspicion. Was this the same third brother who had punched Lai Da and kicked Wang Shanbao's wife back then?

Grandmother Jia had prepared a whole host of rebuttals, but now she couldn't utter a single word.

Jia Jing didn't say which servant he wanted to punish, nor did he say which rule he wanted to revise. Instead, he proposed such a grand plan that would benefit the clan. How could she possibly object to it!

If you oppose this, you'll be criticized and vilified by your clansmen!