Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

He only spent one night at home with his wives, concubines, and sisters. The next day, Jia Lian returned to his position as regent.

Under his leadership, although there were some minor setbacks, things generally progressed in an orderly and forward-looking manner.

Three months later.

Princess Zhaoyang went to the South Study and found Jia Lian.

"Your Majesty, Wei Yan is dead."

Jia Lian paused, holding the vermilion brush, and after a long while slowly placed it on the brush holder. He stood up and said, "Let's go take a look."

The Imperial Clan Court, with its familiar high walls.

The secluded stone hall had already been filled with many officials from the Imperial Clan Court and members of the imperial clan who had rushed there upon hearing the news.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

Upon hearing the announcement, everyone quickly dispersed, clearing the middle of the road.

The fourth prince ran over, looking distressed.

"Royal brother, royal sister..."

Jia Lian nodded to him, glanced at the crowd on his left and right, and stepped into the stone chamber.

This stone chamber was not the one where Prince Yun staged his self-inflicted injury scheme, nor did it have an obvious foul odor; it simply still appeared empty and shabby.

On the ground, a stretcher covered with a white sheet lay quietly, indicating that the deceased was lying inside.

What is most striking is...

Near the stone bed on the north side of the stone house, eight large, crooked red characters remain:

"Great villainy and great evil"

"Hypocritical villain"

Jia Lian frowned slightly, slowly walked forward, squatted down, picked up a corner of the white cloth, and slowly lifted it.

The familiar face, with a pale complexion tinged with dark blue, was undoubtedly Prince Yun.

After staring at it for a moment, Jia Lian covered it back with the white cloth, stood up, and looked around, asking, "When did this happen?"

The officials in charge of guarding the high wall rushed forward and knelt down, saying, "He was perfectly fine when we sent someone to deliver his meal this morning..."

"When I called him at noon, he didn't respond..."

"Upon opening the door, we confirmed that he was dead. We officials dared not delay and immediately reported it."

The three officials were all talking at once, but Jia Lian wasn't really listening. He then looked at the waiting physician and asked, "Are they telling the truth?"

The physician reported, "Your Highness, according to our examination, we have confirmed that the Third Prince died this morning."

"Is there a possibility that he/she was murdered?"

The physicians looked around, and then the leader respectfully replied, "No..."

Jia Lian nodded, looked at the many officials and members of the imperial family gathered at the door, and said in a low voice, "Although he committed unforgivable crimes during his lifetime, he was still the emperor's son after all."

His funeral arrangements shall be handled by the Ministry of Rites, in accordance with the rank of a Prince.

Those outside the door exchanged bewildered glances, while a quick-witted individual suddenly knelt and cried out, "Your Highness is tolerant and benevolent! Long live Your Highness!"

"May Your Highness be tolerant and benevolent, may you live a thousand years!"

Faced with the pile of heads kneeling on the ground, Jia Lian waved his hand, signaling them to disperse.

The people from the Imperial Clan Court also hurriedly carried the body away.

After most of the other people had left, Jia Lian looked at the writing on the wall again.

The bloodstains are fresh, and from the striking strokes, one can imagine the writer's overwhelming resentment during his lifetime.

Seeing Jia Lian staring at the words, Princess Zhaoyang quickly came over and comforted him, "Brother, there's no need to worry..."

He then barked at his men, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and wipe it off!"

Jia Lian waved his hand to stop him.

"I didn't care. I believe the world wouldn't care what someone who is inherently wicked, who murdered his brother and father, said."

"Keep it; perhaps it will serve as a warning to me."

After Jia Lian finished speaking, he turned and left.

Princess Zhaoyang opened her mouth, then looked at the Fourth Prince beside her, who was somewhat dazed and clearly didn't understand the situation. She glared at him and whispered, "What are you standing there for? Get it off now!"

The fourth prince asked in confusion, "Didn't my brother say to keep them? Also, who wrote these words? How dare they do such a thing?"

Who is being described as the most heinous and wicked?

The Fourth Prince was really puzzled. These eight characters were clearly there, so why did everyone pretend not to see them?

Jia Lian, too, didn't even ask who did it?

He had asked before, but the officials hesitated and didn't dare to answer.

……

Jia Lian had led troops and was used to life and death.

Even the life and death of his soldiers rarely stirred any emotion within him.

Moreover, it was an enemy with whom they had long been mortal enemies.

The death of Prince Yun was something he had expected.

However, seeing the enemy's corpse lying quietly in front of him still made him feel a little melancholy.

In a daze, I witnessed the end of the past years and the beginning of a new era—his era.

Arriving at Taiyuan Garden by car, I easily entered the Tai'an Hall.

Looking at Emperor Ningkang lying quietly on the bed, Jia Lian grabbed Dai Quan's sleeve, pulled him aside, and asked in a low voice:

"What's wrong, Father?"

Dai Quan glanced at Jia Lian, cupped his hands, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, His Majesty ate some meat porridge this morning, which is rare for him, and his complexion looked much better."

Around noon, I heard... the imperial physician say, "His Majesty was already depleted of energy and blood, and was also deeply saddened, so..."

"These quack doctors."

Jia Lian cursed, then asked, "Did they say when Father Emperor will wake up?"

Upon hearing this, Dai Quan's expression turned even more grim: "They say in the best-case scenario, she'll wake up tonight, but if... I'm afraid she won't wake up..."

Dai Quan's voice trembled with tears as he raised his sleeve to wipe them away, his emotions genuine and heartfelt.

Jia Lian remained silent for a long time before walking to the dragon bed. He sat down, tucked the blanket around Emperor Ningkang, and then sat there, staring at Emperor Ningkang's face without moving.

Dai Quan watched silently, his heart suddenly clenching.

Others might doubt Emperor Ningkang's sincerity in appointing Jia Lian, or whether Jia Lian's filial piety was merely a facade for the sake of the throne.

Only Dai Quan, who witnessed the entire event, knew the truth.

The relationship between the ruler and his minister is more than just that of father and son; it's even closer than that of father and son.

Since Ningkangdi Rongyangtai Garden, there have actually been times when he has been able to maintain a relatively long period of lucidity.

In other words, he could interfere with Jia Lian's administration.

But Emperor Ningkang did not.

They didn't even bother to inquire about it.

What he knew was either what he had inquired about and told the other party, or what Jia Lian had told him personally when he came over.

And what about Jia Lian?

Based on his knowledge alone, he knew what major and important matters Jia Lian had accomplished during his months of regency.

But no matter how busy he is, or how late it is.

He comes to Taiyuan at least once a day.

If Emperor Ningkang was awake, he would talk to him and share his political philosophy.

If Emperor Ningkang were asleep, he would sit quietly by Emperor Ningkang's bedside for a while, just like he is now, and then leave quietly.

The harmonious relationship between father and son, ruler and subject, moved even him, an old man without offspring, deeply.

If his previous friendship with Jia Lian was based more on self-interest than anything else, then it was more likely due to mutual benefit.

But now, he genuinely likes and admires Jia Lian's character and integrity.

Moreover, he really should plan for his future.

So he bent down and stepped forward, whispering, "Your Highness is busy with state affairs, why don't you go back first? This old servant can watch over things here."

Jia Lian waved his hand behind him, and after a while said, "I will stay here and wait until it is time for Father to take the medicine before calling me."

"Yes……"

Dai Quan was well aware of Jia Lian's temperament, and seeing that he could not persuade him, he could only retreat temporarily.

When Emperor Ningkang awoke, night had already fallen.

He struggled to open his eyes, and in addition to the familiar dim light, he caught a glimpse of a tall figure not far from him, bent over a desk.

He just stared at the other person quietly.

In a daze, I saw myself from back then.

"Father, you're awake?"

It took Jia Lian quite a while to realize that Emperor Ningkang had woken up, so he quickly dropped his memorial and ran over.

Emperor Ningkang nodded slightly, signaling Jia Lian to help him up.

Seeing this, Jia Lian and Dai Quan, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, helped Emperor Ningkang sit on the edge of the bed.

After Emperor Ningkang was seated, he glanced at the newly placed table beside him and gestured, "Are you reading memorials?"

Jia Lian nodded: "Your subject came to see Your Majesty. While waiting, I found it boring, so I had someone bring over some memorials. I hope Your Majesty will not be offended."

At this moment, Dai Quan interjected, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince arrived in the afternoon and has been guarding you for three or four hours now."

The servant advised him to go back and rest, but he wouldn't listen.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Ningkang silently looked at Jia Lian.

He no longer had the energy to say much.

But those cloudy yet increasingly loving eyes said it all.

Jia Lian did not seek credit, but instead grasped Emperor Ningkang's hand and said, "Father, you know about my third brother's matter?"

Emperor Ningkang nodded sadly.

Jia Lian knelt before the bed, saying with a hint of self-reproach, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't acted impulsively and cut off his arm, perhaps he wouldn't have..."

It was your son who caused your father to lose another son, your son…”

"No……"

Emperor Ningkang struggled to raise his hand and touched Jia Lian's hair bun, sighing, "It's not your fault... He brought it upon himself... You... have done very well."

"But……"

Seeing that Jia Lian was about to say something, Emperor Ningkang interrupted him with a look and instead asked, "Let's talk about your matter... How's the Commerce Department you mentioned last time? Are those merchants really willing...?"

Although Emperor Ningkang did not finish speaking, Jia Lian fully understood his meaning.

"Reporting back to Father Emperor, the Ministry of Commerce is already taking shape."

Although the merchants were initially skeptical, with the princess personally overseeing the Commerce Department, many gradually became willing to register there.

My younger sister is very capable and intelligent.

The first batch of registered businessmen in Beijing have already paid their business taxes.

Although it's still a small amount, it's a great start.

As Jia Lian spoke, he thought that Emperor Ningkang had not been optimistic about what he had done at first, and simply reporting good news would not make Emperor Ningkang happy.

So he pretended to regret it: "But it won't work out with the bank."

Since its launch, the National Bank has faced collective opposition from the DPRK, the Chinese government, and the general public.

Despite Shuizhong's best efforts, it seems unlikely that there will be any significant progress in the near future.

Lately, whenever I see him, he's always overwhelmed with problems and constantly comes to me to complain, making me somewhat afraid to see him.

Emperor Ningkang smiled upon hearing this and said, "Everything is difficult at the beginning... If you have these ideas, you should be brave enough to put them into practice. You are young, so even if you make a mistake in the end, it's not a big deal..."

"Uh-huh."

Jia Lian knew that Emperor Ningkang was most concerned about the country and its people, so when he saw that the emperor did not speak, he took the initiative to say, "However, there is also good news."

Because I promised to reduce taxes in the areas where the land survey was completed first, and also instructed the Ministry of Personnel to strictly investigate the exorbitant taxes in the Northern and Southern Zhili provinces, the people of the two provinces responded enthusiastically.

Currently, the land survey work in both northern and southern Zhili provinces has been basically completed.

Moreover, perhaps seeing the tangible benefits gained in the two capitals, ministers from all over the country are now submitting memorials expressing their utmost cooperation with the court's land survey policy and promising to deliver the good news to their children as soon as possible.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Ningkang recalled the resistance and frustration he had encountered when he had strongly advocated for this national policy.

Unexpectedly, Jia Lian managed to easily resolve the issue by using a simple tax reduction as bait.

Well, it can't be considered easy either.

Tax cuts are too significant. Even though he initially felt that the retired emperor raising taxes was a step backward in history, he didn't dare to make any changes on his own.

After all, not everyone can be like this kid.

With so many clever ideas for making money, they're not afraid that the imperial court will temporarily be short of a few cents of money.

Moreover, upon closer examination, most of his ingenious ideas are actually quite effective and do not waste manpower or resources!

"And the Customs Commissioner, this is the most effective and efficient decree I have issued since I took over the reins of government."

Since the establishment of the Customs Service, many prominent families and merchants in both the north and south have responded to its call.

Although I haven't seen it with my own eyes, according to the people I sent out to investigate, Tianjin Port and Quanzhou Port have completely changed.

Tianjin Port, in particular, sees thousands of ships coming and going every day.

In other words, Father Emperor had the foresight to have me build a new port there years ago.

Otherwise, with so many merchant and passenger ships, there would probably be nowhere to dock, blocking the entire sea.

Emperor Ningkang thought to himself, "Didn't you volunteer to build the port yourself?"

However, on the other hand, he was the emperor, and under his rule, the merits of his subjects could naturally be attributed to him.

Therefore, Jia Lian's actions cannot be entirely considered as a gift of merit.

"Where's your new army?"

When Emperor Ningkang inquired about the new army again, Jia Lian smiled and said, "The initial 50,000 soldiers are already at full strength, and the military equipment is basically complete. We are only missing some artillery. The Shenji Battalion, the Firearms Battalion, and the Ministry of Works are still working overtime to build them..."

Although high-intensity training is still lacking, according to my estimation...

These 50,000 newly reorganized troops, composed of elite Green Standard Army soldiers, are fully capable of compensating for the Empire's loss of combat power after the disbandment of hundreds of thousands of Green Standard Army soldiers!

As Jia Lian recounted these events with an air of nonchalance, Emperor Ningkang was somewhat dazed.

Are these really achievements that can be made in just a few months?

However, he also confirmed through the words of the Empress and Dai Quan that Jia Lian was not simply fabricating the story to please him.

The successor I chose seems to be frighteningly strong.

That's good, so that when I get to the afterlife, I'll have the face to face my ancestors.

I have enough confidence to stand before my father and tell him loudly.

He was more diligent as emperor than him, and even the successor he chose was better!

He had no intention of commenting on what Jia Lian said.

He knows his physical condition all too well.

He was barely clinging to life, and today, upon hearing that the Third Prince had finally passed away before him, he felt a deep sadness, as if he could also see the end of his own life.

Looking back on the nine years since he ascended the throne, he has lived up to the expectations of his father, his ancestors, and the people of the world.

Now, his father, whom he both respected and hated, is dead.

Her two good-for-nothing sons also passed away one after the other.

With Jia Lian among the few remaining people he cared about, he felt quite at ease.

It seems that everything is going quite well.

Perhaps the only regret is that he could not witness the day when the blueprints Jia Lian had drawn up for him came to fruition.

It seems that his recent goal is to prepare to conquer Japan.

I really want to see his radiant smile after he conquers Japan...

"Father?"

Awakened by Jia Lian's call, Emperor Ningkang turned his head to look at him and said softly, "I have done a lot in my life, and many of them can be considered successful."

But do you know what I'm most satisfied with?

Jia Lian subconsciously raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Then he must have married a virtuous woman like my mother, who is a model of virtue for the nation."

Emperor Ningkang remained silent for a while before slowly speaking: "The thing I am most satisfied with in my life is not that I defeated Prince Yizhong, nor that I defeated the Retired Emperor on Iron Net Mountain."

It wasn't that he was diligent in state affairs throughout his nine-year reign...

Rather, in my final moments, I have chosen the most outstanding successor for the empire established by our ancestors, so that I may face them in the afterlife with dignity!

"Father~"

Upon hearing these words, how could Jia Lian not be moved?

Emperor Ningkang looked at Jia Lian with unwavering eyes: "Therefore, after you ascend the throne, never forget the ambition you have today."

Remember, my son, you shall be worthy of being compared to Emperor Taizong of Tang and Emperor Wu of Han. (End of Chapter)