Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

An ordinary yet farcical event has finally come to an end in a way that is welcomed by the people.

Although they guessed that the person would probably be released soon after being arrested, at least the forty strokes of the cane that echoed through the streets were real. Therefore, the onlookers felt very pleased and left after praising Jia Lian as a "just and upright official".

Gu Danfeng stepped forward and thanked Jia Lian: "My name is Gu Min. Thank you for upholding justice, sir... May I ask your name?"

Just as Jia Lian had ordered two soldiers to take the badly beaten merchant to get medicine for his wounds and then bring him back to the yamen to take his statement, he turned around and saw Gu Danfeng trying to make his acquaintance. He smiled and said, "Jia Lian is currently the commander of the Western Military Command."

"You're Jia Lian?"

Gu Danfeng looked somewhat shocked.

Jia Lian raised an eyebrow. "You know me?"

Gu Danfeng's eyes lit up with realization, and he explained, "Brother Jinyan and I were classmates and close friends. I've heard him mention your name before..."

Jia Lian wasn't surprised; the official circles in the capital weren't exactly small, but they weren't huge either.

"So you're Cousin Jinyan's classmate. How rude of me."

"I wouldn't dare..."

Gu Danfeng was somewhat dejected. It was bad enough that her family background and academic achievements couldn't compare to Zhang Su's, but Zhang Su's cousin had already risen to the fourth rank in officialdom…

Fan Jin arranged for Zhou Sheng and the others to be taken away, then returned to ask Jia Lian whether they should continue their banquet. Jia Lian asked in return, and seeing that most of the people had eaten and drunk their fill, he dismissed them.

Turning around and seeing Gu Danfeng, he smiled and said, "Brother Gu, please come with us back to the yamen to make a statement."

"I am willing to follow your arrangements, sir."

"please……"

……

The Zhou family was quite famous in the capital because of the empress they produced.

So when Zhou Hongchang, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, heard that his son had caused trouble in the street and had been arrested on the spot by the Military Command, he was furious!

They wanted to use their connections to get their son out first, but the reply they received was that their connections weren't enough, and that the matter was being personally overseen by the Commander of the Western City Garrison, who was also the official in charge of the seal.

Zhou Hongchang was even angrier. When did a mere military garrison dare to ride roughshod over his Zhou family?

He intended to put pressure on the entire Military Command through the Ministry of War and the Beijing Garrison, but he learned that the newly appointed Commander of the Military Command was a member of the Rongguo Mansion.

Upon further inquiry, they discovered even more about the person's background...

Zhou Hongchang fell silent.

Before their daughter became an empress, the Zhou family wasn't even qualified to carry her shoes, so how could they put pressure on her?

Helpless, she knew she had to save her son. Since she couldn't do it herself, there was nothing she could do but send a letter to her daughter, asking her to find a way to save her brother.

Knowing that he was probably in the wrong, he specifically instructed his daughter to just rescue her brother and not to make a big fuss about it.

However, the emperor's women, especially the more favored ones, tend to become somewhat arrogant and disregard officials outside the palace.

They must have a death wish to arrest her own brother!

So she was determined to teach those who had offended the Zhou family a lesson. She dressed up, prepared some soup, and went to see Emperor Ningkang herself, whispering sweet nothings in his ear...

If Emperor Ningkang were still a young emperor prone to acting impulsively for the sake of a woman, and if Consort Zhou had impeached someone else, she might have succeeded.

But Jia Lian...

This was one of the people Emperor Ningkang was preparing to give important positions to. As soon as Consort Zhou mentioned Jia Lian, Emperor Ningkang became suspicious.

Ultimately, the emperor was a man of deep thought and did not blame her. He simply sent her away and then ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Within an hour, the Imperial Guards returned with the news.

In the Southern Study, Emperor Ningkang was quite angry after hearing the report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The term "imperial relatives" refers to the family members of the emperor and his consorts. Therefore, when an imperial relative commits a crime, it damages the emperor's reputation.

How dare the Zhou family falsely accuse others! Emperor Ningkang unconsciously reduced his favor towards Consort Zhou by seven or eight points.

Emperors have no shortage of women, but it is rare for them to truly love a woman.

Seeing that the emperor was angry, Dai Quan, as the prime minister, naturally had the duty to comfort him. So he said, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhou is in the deep palace and does not know about what is happening outside. She only heard that someone bullied her younger brother, so it is understandable that she is angry and anxious."

Moreover, Commander Jia also made some mistakes in this matter.

Although Zhou Sheng was arrogant, he was still Lady Zhou's brother. A reprimand would have sufficed; imprisoning him was indeed an excessive punishment.

Emperor Ningkang became even angrier and said, "Hmph, what do you mean by 'excessive punishment'? I think he did a very good job!"

I know that these纨绔子弟 (spoiled young men) in the capital are idle all day long and causing trouble.

Unfortunately, the officers and soldiers of the Military Command are all good-for-nothings, cowards who bully the weak and fear the strong. Not a single one of them is loyal to the emperor and the country. This has emboldened the sons of powerful and influential families in the Western City to become increasingly lawless. In time, I fear that these unworthy sons will ruin the reputation of our great Wei emperor and his officials!

Otherwise, why do you think I transferred Jia Lian to the Military Command?

I intend to use his position to thoroughly eradicate this corrupt practice in the capital.

"Hmph, if he goes to the border for a year and doesn't even dare to deal with the younger brother of a nobleman, then I will truly dismiss him from his post!"

Dai Quan smiled slightly: "Your Majesty is wise."

He had a very good relationship with the Jia family, but precisely because of this good relationship, he couldn't always say nice things. Sometimes, saying the opposite of what you mean can be more effective.

As expected, Emperor Ningkang ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to continue monitoring the Western City Military Command and to report any important matters immediately. Then, he turned to Dai Quan and smiled, "It seems I really didn't misjudge him this time. Sending such an energetic young man to suppress those spoiled brats was definitely the right move. What's this called? Fighting poison with poison..."

It's just unclear whether this is just a new broom sweeping clean, or if he genuinely cares about the country and the emperor.

Dai Quan smiled. He knew that Emperor Ningkang must be thinking of Jia Lian, who was also a typical playboy.

However, he still advised, "Although Commander Jia is full of love for the country and its people, Zhou Sheng is, after all, the younger brother of Consort Zhou. This matter concerns the dignity of the empress and consorts, and it is not appropriate to keep him locked up in the Military Affairs Bureau."

Emperor Ningkang thought about it and agreed.

However, simply asking Jia Lian to release the people would damage his prestige, which is of utmost importance for a newly appointed official.

Secondly, Jia Lian might think he's a mediocre ruler who can't distinguish right from wrong, and in the future, he wouldn't be so considerate of the ruler's feelings when handling affairs.

So he beckoned Dai Quan over and whispered a few instructions to him.

Upon hearing this, Dai Quan repeatedly flattered him, saying, "Your Majesty's actions are truly wise..."

Emperor Ningkang remained noncommittal, and the matter was settled. He then asked, "Regarding the new position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison, after deliberation by the Ministry of War, the candidate recommended is Marquis Zhongjing, Shi Ding… What do you think?"

Even after leaving the capital, Prince Teng retained his position as the military governor.

However, now that the border war has stabilized, the emperor intends to leave Prince Teng on the border to rectify military discipline. The position of military governor of the capital garrison cannot remain vacant for long and a new talent must be selected.

However, military officer positions are not the same as civil officer positions.

In particular, many important military positions are hereditary...

This is also a form of recognition, encouragement, and reward for those who have made contributions.

Although the position of military governor, which was crucial to the safety of the capital, could not be inherited, its appointment was a very particular matter. This particularity existed only within the Ministry of War; anyone else, even the emperor, had to follow the rules if they wanted to gain the people's respect.

Since the time of Emperor Taizu, this position has always been held by the Jia family...

Rumor has it that the two dukes of the Jia family, Rong and Ning, were actually qualified to be enfeoffed as kings based on their merits.

However, having two kings in one family is too shocking and unconventional. Even with the magnanimity of the founding emperor, it would be difficult for him to make such a decision.

At this time, the two dukes of Ning and Rong took the initiative to submit a memorial to the emperor, rejecting the court's proposal to confer titles of nobility upon them.

Emperor Taizu was moved by the loyalty and patriotism of the Dukes of Ning and Rong, and throughout his reign, he bestowed favors upon the Jia family. Thus, the Jia family's two mansions, together occupying an area almost as large as the imperial palace, came to be the imperial mansion built by imperial decree.

Even after the death of the Duke of Ningguo, Emperor Taizu appointed the Duke's son, Jia Daihua, who had not made any significant achievements in terms of talent, as the military governor of the capital garrison.

It can be said that the position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison was a special reward given to the Jia family by Emperor Taizu.

It wasn't until Jia Daihua died that the Jia family had no successor in the army, and the emperor at the time, now the retired emperor, had no choice but to consider choosing another capable minister.

However, even the retired emperor ultimately chose Prince Teng, who came from one of the four great families of the old capital, just like the Jia family, to serve as the military governor of the capital garrison.

With the change of dynasties, the previous "unwritten rules" may no longer apply. After all, this powerful military post of the second rank is extremely important, and the emperor cannot feel at ease unless it is entrusted to someone he trusts.

Dai Quan knew that Emperor Ningkang already had a suitable candidate in mind for the position of military governor of the capital garrison. His transfer of Prince Teng away from the capital was also a preliminary move to replace him.

Unexpectedly, whether the Ministry of War was truly unable to understand the emperor's heart, or knew the emperor's heart but still insisted on its principles, it refused to nominate anyone the emperor favored and instead pushed forward a member of the Shi family, one of the four great families.

Dai Quan, who was secretly pondering these relationships, knew that this was a big deal and dared not speak casually.

After careful consideration for a long time, he tentatively said, "Your Majesty, this young Marquis Shi also fought his way up on the battlefield and made many meritorious contributions. I suppose that's why the Ministry of War recommended Shi Ding."

Moreover, the generals in the army were highly resistant to change and valued seniority. Shi Ding had considerable connections with former military governors of the Beijing Garrison, such as Jia Daihua and Wang Ziteng, making him indeed the most suitable candidate to take over the Beijing Garrison.

Emperor Ningkang glanced at Dai Quan and knew exactly what he wanted to say.

In other words, the military has its own rules.

Since its establishment, the position of the Military Governor of the Capital Garrison has been held by figures such as Duke Ningguo Jia Yan, Jia Daihua, and Prince Teng, and has always been intertwined with the interests of the four major families. To put it bluntly, it is about protecting the existing interests of the four major families!

Movement is permissible, but it must be based on a valid reason, just like when Wang Ziteng was transferred away from the capital. Only with a reasonable reason will those below be convinced.

Emperor Ningkang then said with some disappointment, "Does this mean that such an important position must be held by these founding heroes for generations to come? Then..."

What if one day they become disloyal or not loyal enough?

Emperor Ningkang had long disliked this unspoken rule and was determined to break it.

Perhaps the people in the Ministry of War could see through his thoughts, so they put forward Marquis Zhongjing, Shi Ding!

This person was someone who was granted a title and given important positions during his father's reign.

If he doesn't have a sufficient reason not to use it, others might suspect that he's intentionally trying to antagonize the retired emperor...

This is what troubles Emperor Ningkang. As the emperor, he cannot do as he pleases. Not only can he not do as he pleases, but he also has to consider so many interests when arranging an important position!

Although Dai Quan was on good terms with the Jia family, he knew even better that his position was given to him by Emperor Ningkang.

Seeing Emperor Ningkang's distress, he immediately came up with an idea.

"Your Majesty, the reason why the Ministry of War refused to select candidates from outside the four great families is actually because those old fellows, out of consideration for the Dukes of Ning and Rong, ultimately gave the Jia family a hand."

After all, the Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue families, who were at their peak during the reign of Emperor Taizu, now lack capable talents.

It would be too inhumane to remove them from this position as well.

In my opinion, the Ministry of War doesn't necessarily have to oppose the Emperor. All he needs is for the Emperor to emulate the reign of Emperor Taizu and provide the Jia family with some extra compensation. If this compensation can make the descendants of the Dukes of Ning and Rong appear less destitute, perhaps they will be willing to act according to His Majesty's wishes…”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Ningkang's eyes lit up.

Yes, even those old fogies have their limits when it comes to sentimentality. In a few years, once they're all dead, these founding stories will slowly fade into oblivion. So, he, the emperor, will probably be the last one to be affected.

Now that the retired emperor is still alive, there is indeed no need to put on a show of force and fight with these prestigious old ministers.

"In your opinion, what would be a good way to compensate?"

Emperor Ningkang still felt somewhat troubled; if the compensation was too lenient, those old fellows wouldn't accept it.

He felt it was inappropriate to make it too heavy. At this time, the Jia family only had Jia Zheng and Jia Lian, who were somewhat presentable.

However, one is too old-fashioned and the other is too young; neither of them is good at rewarding others.

As emperor, Emperor Ningkang knew all too well that the national treasures must never be misused!

Since Dai Quan dared to offer advice, he must have been prepared.

He smiled and reminded her, "This old servant remembers that there is a female official by the side of the Dowager Consort, who is the eldest daughter of the second master of the Jia family. She has been in the palace for quite some time, and I heard that she is deeply favored by the Dowager Consort..."

Emperor Ningkang then began to ponder.

The only person Dai Quan could address as the Dowager Consort was his birth mother.

He didn't notice that there was a daughter from the Jia family beside his mother. He didn't pay much attention to that.

However, as the emperor, he immediately understood Dai Quan's meaning and said with a smile, "Very well, this year is also the year of selection, so I will give them this compensation!"

If that's the case, and those old fogies still won't let it go, then don't blame me for being ruthless, hmph.

Emperor Ningkang really didn't want to argue with those stubborn old men about this matter anymore.