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

This is a good opportunity to tell Jia Jing and Emperor Jingsheng that the Ba Shang camp is their Jingnan Wuxun territory, and no one can touch it.

Seeing the two men suddenly retaliate, mentioning the retired emperor and making veiled threats, Jia Jing couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

He frowned and said coldly:

"You have violated military law, and all witnesses have witnessed it; the facts are undeniable. Yet, you still dare to be so arrogant before me, spouting off the words 'Emperor Emeritus,' showing no remorse whatsoever!"

"By order of His Majesty, I have been appointed as the Military Governor of the Ba Shang Camp, in charge of all military and political affairs of the Ba Shang Camp. Furthermore, with the Imperial Sword in hand, I can act as I see fit in all personnel matters of the Ba Shang Camp."

"Even if we simply arrest you and punish you, killing you outright would be within our rights!"

"Guards, seize these two scoundrels! Strip them of their armor and seize their seals. I will report to His Majesty before making further decisions!"

At Jia Jing's command, his personal guards immediately stepped forward, intending to seize the Marquis of Zhongqin and the Marquis of Linchuan.

How could the Marquis of Linchuan allow Jia Jing to capture him so easily? He immediately sprang to his feet, drew his waist knife, and pointed it at Jia Jing, saying:

"This is a military camp, how dare you act so presumptuously! Do you think my blade is not sharp enough?!"

"Someone come here!"

At the Marquis of Linchuan's command, hundreds of people poured in from outside the barracks. They were all servants and personal guards of the two men, surrounding Jia Jing and his men. Jia Jing's personal guards drew their swords, and the scene suddenly became tense.

Marquis Zhongqin, however, kept a close eye on Jia Jing's reaction, his face grim and threatening:

"Lord Jingwu, the entire Ba Shang camp is ours! If you continue to be so ungrateful, then today will only result in bandits roaming the army and the unfortunate death of the newly appointed military governor!"

"Even if the imperial court finds out, I believe they will only issue an order to commend us loyal soldiers!"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense and tense.

Everyone was waiting for Jia Jing's reaction. If he continued to use force, there would likely be a fierce battle today, or even a mutiny of tens of thousands of men in the entire camp.

The soldiers gripped their swords tightly, their expressions cold.

A chaotic battle is about to break out!

Who knows,

Jia Jing pondered for a moment, then sheathed the Shangfang sword and waved his hand, causing his personal guards to immediately sheath their swords.

Jia Jing smiled and said:

"I was just joking!"

"I am young and this was just a joke. Please don't misunderstand!"

His voice carried a hint of lack of confidence, as if he feared the power of Marquis Linchuan and Marquis Zhongqin and dared not oppose them.

"But what's going on with the women in these barracks? Why is the camp so lax today, and why are there no drills? As the military governor, I have to find out!"

When the Marquis of Linchuan and his companion saw Jia Jing's appearance, they secretly laughed to themselves. After all, he was just an inexperienced child who had never seen the world before; he cowered at the slightest fright!

I originally thought he was some kind of formidable figure, with supposedly impressive combat strength, but it turns out it was all just hearsay and he was undeserving of the reputation.

The Marquis of Linchuan wore a mocking expression. Jia Jing's pretentious act had made him quite uneasy.

After all, if they really killed Jia Jing, it wouldn't be easy for them to explain themselves to the court. Emperor Jingsheng is powerful now, and they are unwilling to be the ones to stick their necks out.

Marquis Zhongqin also ordered his soldiers to sheath their swords, secretly rejoicing: "They really were bluffing us. Luckily, we withstood the pressure and didn't confess and get captured."

He looked up and laughed, saying:

"It's normal for the military governor to be unfamiliar with the affairs of the camp since this is his first time here!"

"These women are just laundry and odd jobs in the camp. As for why the army's defenses are lax today, it's because of the heavy snow and cold weather a few days ago, so the soldiers are being given a day off."

"Neither the Marquis of Linchuan nor I expected the military governor to come today, and we apologize for any neglect!"

Marquis Zhongqin quickly came up with a reason and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting.

As long as Jia Jing doesn't confront them directly and doesn't infringe on their rights, he'll still give them face and do some superficial work.

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing looked around the barracks. The camp gates were wide open, and the area was filled with soldiers watching the spectacle. Most of the mid- to high-ranking military officers in the camp had also arrived.

He immediately laughed and said loudly:

"I see! I was a bit hasty! But we can't just listen to your side of the story. I think the three lieutenant generals and more than ten captains in the camp have already arrived. Let them also give their opinions."

"In that case, if you agree with what Marquis Zhongqin said, that today is indeed a day off and that the women are doing laundry and other chores, then please stand next to Marquis Zhongqin and Marquis Linchuan and testify for the two marquises."

"Let me see how many people there are. If it's difficult to go against the will of the people, I'll apologize to the two marquises to avoid damaging the harmony."

Jia Jing smiled and addressed the high-ranking military officers of the Ba Shang camp who were watching from the sidelines.

The Ba Shang camp had 100,000 troops, with one military governor, two deputy military governors, three lieutenant generals, and more than ten colonels.

The Jiedushi (military governor) was in charge of all military and political affairs within the camp and was the highest leader.

The deputy military governor assists the military governor and is responsible for specific matters related to training, combat, logistics, and military discipline.

The three lieutenant generals each led a battalion of troops, in charge of cavalry, infantry, and firearms, with each battalion reportedly numbering in the tens of thousands.

The captain was in charge of ten thousand men and was a military officer under the general.

Of course, there were also military supervisors and civil officials sent by the imperial court, but their power was limited. The main power of the Ba Shang camp was still in the hands of Wu Xun, who was in charge of the Jingnan Camp.

Hearing Jia Jing say this, the Marquis of Zhongqin became even more composed. He believed that Jia Jing was just trying to save face because he was young and inexperienced.

They're young after all, and they care too much about saving face.

He also intended to demonstrate to Jia Jing the influence he and the Marquis of Linchuan had over the Ba Shang camp, hoping that Jia Jing would back down and obediently become his military governor in the future, and stop causing trouble.

Then, he smiled and shouted to the surrounding military officers:

"Huang Bin, Zhou Xin... what are you all standing there for? Didn't you hear what the military governor said?"

"Why aren't you coming over here to testify for me and the Marquis of Linchuan that we are both acting in the public interest and would never do anything to violate military law!"

Marquis Linchuan also shouted:

"What are you all standing there like wooden stakes for? Come and meet our military governor; he's quite the imposing figure!"

He then burst into laughter, clearly not taking Jia Jing seriously.

Several lieutenant generals and captains outside the camp gates heard the conversation between Jia Jing and the Marquis of Linchuan and the Marquis of Zhongqin.

Most of them were from the lineage of Wu Xun of the Jingnan Campaign, and they already had business dealings with the Marquis of Linchuan and the Marquis of Zhongqin.

Among them, Huang Bin and Zhou Xin, whom Zhongqin Hou called out, were both Lieutenant Generals in charge of infantry and cavalry in the camp, and both held the title of First-Class Earl.

Seeing that Jia Jing was clearly all bark and no bite, while the Marquis of Linchuan and the Marquis of Zhongqin held the upper hand and remained calm and composed, they all smiled and entered the barracks to pledge their loyalty.

"Both the Marquis of Linchuan and the Marquis of Zhongqin are good officials who are devoted to public service! I can testify to this!"

"Indeed, these two women are laundry and odd jobs in the army!"

"The military is indeed on holiday today!"

"The military governor is new here; we mustn't wrong an innocent person!"