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

After Ma Guocheng left, Marquis Linchuan couldn't help but slam his fist on the table again and angrily said:

"Damn it! What kind of bastard is he? He doesn't know what's good for him! Just because he's latched onto the Duke of Ying, he dares to run wild in the capital. He'll be taught a lesson sooner or later!"

Marquis Zhongqin's expression was also unpleasant, and he pondered for a moment before saying:

"The most urgent task is to deal with that brat Jia Jing. Let's give him a few days' grace."

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Linchuan said with a disdainful expression:

"You're all giving that brat Jia Jing far too much credit. He just managed to get some credit by luck; he's a kid who hasn't even grown his first beard yet. What's there to be afraid of!"

"The entire Ba Shang camp is staffed by people from my Jingnan faction. If you ask me, let's teach them a lesson!"

"How dare they publicly insult the Duke of Zhao and the Emperor Emeritus! They're practically implying that we, the Jingnan Campaign, have no one to rely on!"

The Marquis of Linchuan was extremely hostile to Jia Jing, not only because of their differing stances, but also because Jia Jing had been appointed as the military governor of Ba Shang, taking away their position from the military merits of the Jingnan Camp.

Even if the Duke of Cheng could not take command of the Ba Shang camp, it should have been either him or the Marquis of Zhongqin who became the military governor.

Since the reign of Emperor Chengzu, the Ba Shang camp has been the territory of Wu Xun, who was involved in the Jingnan Rebellion. Why should Wu Xun, who was part of the founding lineage, have the right to seize military power in the Ba Shang camp?

Marquis Zhongqin advised with a stern face:

"It's best not to underestimate him. After all, he defeated 150,000 Qing troops and was ennobled in one battle. He's quite famous in the entire capital city."

"Besides, he has the support of the current ruler..."

There was a hint of apprehension in the words of the Marquis of Zhongqin, it was unclear whether he was referring to Jia Jing or Emperor Jingsheng.

Upon hearing this, Marquis Linchuan snorted coldly:

"It was only because the Qing army's eldest prince, Yinqi, was incompetent that Jia Jing, that brat, got the benefit."

"Besides, he has the emperor's support, and we have the retired emperor backing us up. As long as we have military power, what does the emperor matter? If he really angers me, I'll lead my troops into the capital!"

Before the Marquis of Linchuan could finish speaking, a shout came from outside the tent:

"Who goes there! This is a military camp, no trespassing allowed!"

Immediately afterwards, a group of soldiers in bright armor and neat military bearing rushed into the room. From the middle of the soldiers emerged a young general wearing white armor, with a sword at his waist and a long spear in his hand. He was tall and upright with a calm demeanor. He walked slowly to the center of the barracks.

Immediately afterwards, the personal guards and servants of the Marquis of Linchuan and the Marquis of Zhongqin rushed into the barracks and stood on both sides of the room to protect the two men.

Once inside the military camp, Jia Jing drove straight in, partly because the camp was undisciplined and no one dared to stop the new military governor.

Secondly, Jia Jing and his men went straight to the central army's main camp, completely ignoring the obstruction and warnings from the personal guards and servants of the Marquis of Linchuan.

"Are you two the Deputy Military Governors of Ba Shang Camp, Marquis Hu Mei of Linchuan and Marquis Lu Ju of Zhongqin?"

Jia Jing's expression was cold. He pressed the sword at his waist and glanced coldly at Marquis Linchuan and Marquis Zhongqin, as well as the women beside them.

Zhuque and his personal guards stood silently behind Jia Jing, swords in hand.

Marquis Zhongqin looked at Jia Jing and the others, his heart skipped a beat, and he roughly guessed Jia Jing's identity. He cupped his hands and questioned them in a deep voice.

"Are you Jia Jing, the Marquis of Jingwu? Don't you know that military camps are restricted areas and trespassing is forbidden?"

Jia Jing sneered and shouted loudly;

"What a joke! I am the military governor of Ba Shang, personally appointed by His Majesty. Where in Ba Shang can't I go? It is you two who are openly drinking and philandering in the army. Don't you know military law?"

"No wonder the entire camp is so undisciplined! With two deputy military commissioners like you who disregard military discipline, what kind of good soldiers can you possibly train!"

"I, by His Majesty's decree, have been given the authority to command the Ba Shang camp with the Imperial Sword to reorganize military affairs. With the Imperial Sword in hand, it is as if the Emperor himself is present. You all, get down from the hall now!"

Jia Jing took the Shangfang sword from Zhuque's hand, raised it high, and the guards behind him drew their swords and looked around coldly.

Marquis Linchuan and Marquis Zhongqin were stunned by Jia Jing's sudden shout and didn't react for a moment.

They hadn't expected Jia Jing to suddenly arrive at the camp today. They thought he wouldn't be able to take office for several more days, and they had agreed to either outwardly comply while inwardly defying him or give him a hard time when he did.

Unexpectedly, Jia Jing broke into the central army camp today due to our lack of preparation.

The two men's expressions changed in an instant, unsure of what to do.

Especially the Marquis of Linchuan, who was holding a wine cup in one hand and embracing the woman beside him with the other, was acting in a dissolute and helpless manner.

At that moment, the two heard another shout:

"Hu Mei, Lu Ju, I hold the Imperial Sword, as if His Majesty were personally present. You two, sitting high in the hall, are behaving disrespectfully and arrogantly. Are you showing contempt for His Majesty?"

Jia Jing drew his imperial sword, shouted angrily, his face cold and stern.

At this moment, some soldiers from Ba Shang near the main general's barracks of the central army came upon hearing the commotion and gathered around to watch the excitement, discussing it amongst themselves.

There were also trusted soldiers of the Marquis of Linchuan and the Marquis of Zhongqin, armed with weapons, who surrounded the barracks, ready to make a move.

Marquis Zhongqin's face turned pale, his gaze fixed on the Shangfang sword in Jia Jing's hand.

Ultimately, he made no move under everyone's watchful eyes. He snorted coldly, stood up from his seat, and slowly walked down to stand in front of Jia Jing.

Marquis Linchuan followed Marquis Zhongqin, the two standing side by side.

Before the two could react, Jia Jing shouted again.

"With the Imperial Sword in hand, it's as if His Majesty himself is present. For you two to stand and answer him shows a complete lack of decorum. What is your punishment?"

Marquis Linchuan, his face contorted with resentment, was about to speak when Marquis Zhongqin, his face ashen, pulled him aside.

The two hesitated for a moment, then straightened their clothes, knelt down, and bowed:

"Your subject heeds Your Majesty's instructions!"

Originally, the two were just going through the motions, thinking that Jia Jing would say a few polite words and then get up.

To everyone's surprise, Jia Jing had no such intention. Instead, he took his sword and walked step by step up the platform, suddenly shouting:

"Hu Mei and Lu Ju, as deputy military governors, you two are not training troops and managing military affairs in the camp, but instead drinking and indulging in prostitutes, which has led to the laxity of military discipline."

"I saw with my own eyes that there were no sentries at the camp gate, the weapons were rusted, and the soldiers were as undisciplined as commoners."

"In this strategically important region of the capital, military discipline is so corrupt! The laws of our Great Han Army clearly state: drinking alcohol and engaging in prostitution within the camp, or failing to establish proper defenses, are punishable by death! Do you know your crimes?"

As soon as Jia Jing finished speaking, the Marquis of Linchuan could no longer hold back and abruptly stood up, saying:

"Jia Jing, you little brat, how dare you act so arrogantly! I've tolerated you for far too long. You're nothing but a lowly third-ranking official, and you've only managed to perform a small service by sheer luck, yet you dare to be so presumptuous in front of us!"

"Do you know that my position as Deputy Military Governor of the Ba Shang Camp was personally bestowed by the Emperor Emeritus? Without the Emperor Emeritus's order, no one can punish me!"

Marquis Zhongqin, Lu Ju, who was standing nearby, also stood up and said coldly:

"I advise Marquis Jingwu to think twice before acting, lest he find himself in an embarrassing situation and lose face!"

Marquis Zhongqin originally intended to feign compliance with Jia Jing for a while, and then find an opportunity to sideline Jia Jing and drive him out of Bashang Camp.

To everyone's surprise, Jia Jing immediately questioned them upon arrival, even suggesting they should be executed, treating them like pushovers. How could they possibly tolerate this?

If I were to bear the accusations Jia Jing made, even if I were to be imprisoned or sentenced to death, at the very least I would be dismissed from my post. This is something I absolutely cannot accept.

Therefore, the two chose to launch a sudden counterattack.

Anyway, Jia Jing can't really do anything to them. Most of the soldiers in the barracks are their men, so what's there to be afraid of!