Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Jia Lian's merciless words caused a variety of reactions among the officials of the delegation.

Several people found Jia Lian's words too harsh and showed displeasure.

"Why do you say that, Your Excellency? We are doing this for the sake of the Great Wei and the court. How could we have any selfish motives?"

"Your Excellency, we are too kind to accept such words."

A young official stood up, frowning as he retorted.

Although he was only a minor official of the seventh rank, he was a proper graduate of the imperial examinations and had a natural sense of pride.

Therefore, he even felt a hidden sense of pride in arguing with Jia Lian face to face. He felt that at this moment, he was a model of fearlessness in the face of power and unyielding integrity.

What is this called? This is called the integrity of a scholar!

He wasn't afraid of Jia Lian punishing him. First, he believed himself to be selfless and on the side of justice, and that as long as Jia Lian had any sense of shame, he wouldn't make trouble for him. Second, he felt that Jia Lian and they were not on the same side, so there was no need to be too polite to him.

People like Jia Lian, who come from powerful and wealthy families and became officials through patronage, are not in the same circle as those who have studied hard for ten years and climbed the ranks step by step. So he naturally doesn't need to care too much about offending Jia Lian.

Even if he could argue his case today and defeat Jia Lian, who holds a high position, he himself would gain immense prestige. At the very least, his colleagues present would certainly look at him with new respect.

Jia Lian glanced at the man.

Since leaving the capital, he and Xiang He had a clear division of labor. He was in charge of military affairs, while Xiang He was in charge of the mission's internal affairs.

Therefore, Jia Lian only recognized a few of the more important officials in the delegation. As for the other minor officials, he had only met them briefly but had not paid them any attention.

Xiang He guessed that Jia Lian might not recognize this person, so he quickly introduced him: "Sir, this is Xiao Jing, the clerk of the Ministry of Rites, who is in charge of compiling and recording documents for this trip."

Jia Lian could see through the petty thoughts of such a minor official at a glance. Therefore, after Xiang He's introduction, he didn't give the young official another second look, but instead scanned the crowd present.

"Do all you lords feel the same way, believing that using a woman to gain benefits is a selfless act that brings honor and glory to the Great Wei and the court?"

The officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

Not everyone dares to provoke Jia Lian, who wields the imperial sword and holds the power of life and death. Nor is everyone as reckless as Xiao Jing.

Therefore, no one responded to Jia Lian's words. Many people even shook their heads when Jia Lian looked over, indicating that they did not agree with Xiao Jing's words.

Xiao Jing already felt slighted by Jia Lian's previous attitude. Now, seeing everyone ostracizing him because they dared not offend Jia Lian's power, he became even more ashamed and furious.

"Lord Jia, the restoration of the alliance with the Oirat is a national policy formulated by the officials of the court. We have gone to great lengths to negotiate with the Oirat envoys, all for the sake of the court."

"Since Lord Jia is the Imperial Envoy, he should naturally prioritize the court's interests. How can he act out of womanly compassion and personal feelings? If this were to ruin the alliance between the two countries, even Lord Jia would find it difficult to bear the consequences."

Hearing Xiao Jing increasingly defy Jia Lian, everyone held their breath for him. Some thought he was brave, while others secretly cursed him for being foolish.

Jia Lian finally focused his attention on this clown.

Seeing the resolute expression on his face, Jia Lian suddenly smiled.

"Is it Commander Xiao? Since Commander Xiao is so devoted to the public good, how can I fail to live up to his loyalty to the country?"

That's fine too, since after the princess marries the Oirat, she will be short of loyal ministers to serve her.

Why don't we have Xiao Lingshi accompany the princess to stay in the Oirat region and serve her loyally?

"this……"

Xiao Jing was suddenly stunned.

Jia Lian is going to abandon him in the Oirat region?

This won't do!

Putting aside the fact that his whole family was in the capital, after all the hard work he had put in for so many years, finally passing the imperial examination and being granted an official position, it was the time for him to make great strides. How could he possibly stay in that desolate foreign land to serve a princess who was destined to marry into a foreign country with no future?

Not only would her future be completely ruined, but it's also obvious that after this upheaval, even the most favored prince of the Oirat would die at their hands. How could Princess Zhaoyang possibly be treated well by the Oirat after she marries them?

Even if they were intimidated by the might of the Great Wei Kingdom and dared not harm him, they feared his life would be very difficult.

If even the master is like this, let alone the eunuchs who stay behind to serve him, he feels uneasy just thinking about those agonizing days.

"snort!"

Jia Lian had no intention of wasting his breath on such a scoundrel. Once he was speechless, he coldly looked at the others.

"And for any other officials who feel that we should continue to make peace with the Oirat through marriage, I will treat them all equally and let them remain in the Oirat to serve the court."

You need not doubt my ability to keep my word. Princess Zhaoyang is the most beloved granddaughter of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's favorite princess. How could these two sages allow the princess to be alone and helpless in a foreign land?

"If I were to submit a memorial to His Majesty expressing your esteemed intentions to serve the country, the court, and the princess, I believe the Empress Dowager and His Majesty would be greatly pleased and gratified."

Jia Lian's words made everyone feel awkward.

Although they were sent on a mission by imperial decree and thus bore a heavy responsibility, apart from Jia Lian, even Xiang He, who served as the deputy envoy, was previously only a mid-level official who was not well-regarded in the imperial court.

In the central government, they would be utterly insignificant.

If Xiang He was like this, then what about them?

It could be said that all of them combined were not as noble as a single finger of Princess Zhaoyang.

If Jia Lian were to truly slander them before Emperor Ningkang, the emperor, who dotes on his daughter, might actually send them all as part of their dowry to the Oirat Mongols…

They then exchanged glances and gave Xiang He meaningful looks.

Xiang He sighed helplessly, stood up, and cupped his hands to Jia Lian, saying, "I hope Your Excellency will forgive us. We are all your subordinates, and all our actions are for the sake of the court and to share your burdens."

Since you think our actions are inappropriate, we will naturally obey your orders.

"May I ask, sir, what should we do now?"

Jia Lian didn't rush to reply to Xiang He, but instead looked at the others: "What, none of you want to be loyal to the court and Her Highness the Princess anymore?"

Although Jia Lian's words were harsh, since it concerned their future prospects, none of the officials dared to be defiant. They all smiled awkwardly and said they would follow Jia Lian's orders and arrangements.

Even Xiao Jing, seeing that the situation was hopeless, dared not provoke Jia Lian any further and could only sit down sullenly. But he had already made up his mind that after returning to the capital, he would definitely have his friend, who was an imperial censor, impeach Jia Lian.

Although he held a position in one of the six central ministries, he was only a seventh-rank official and did not even have the right to attend court.

Seeing that no one dared to act rashly again, Jia Lian said, "This time, our Great Wei is willing to marry Princess Zhaoyang to the Oirat, which is a great favor to the Oirat. However, they are ungrateful and have wolfish ambitions. Not only did they collude with the Tatars to kill more than a thousand of our Great Wei's elite soldiers, but they also tried to kidnap our princess and offer her to the Tatars."

Such a heartless and shameless wretch! If our Great Wei were to marry off our princess again, what would become of our princess? What would become of the spirits of the thousands of soldiers who sacrificed themselves to protect her? And what would become of the dignity of our Great Wei?

Therefore, I do not wish to hear any of you dare to mention the matter of a marriage alliance again. Otherwise, do not blame me for being ruthless.

As Jia Lian spoke, he gave Xiao Jing a special look.

Stared at by Jia Lian's murderous gaze, Xiao Jing, now calm, remembered that Jia Lian had the power of life and death over him!

In a daze, he felt as if he had already walked between life and death.

A chill ran through him, causing him, who had wanted to stand tall and proud, to unconsciously lower his head.

Jia Lian then stopped paying attention to him.

He had indeed harbored murderous intent towards Xiao Jing just now. Fortunately, his imperial sword hadn't yet seen blood since he left the capital. He figured if this man didn't know his place, he would use him to establish his authority.

Now that this person has bowed his head, as long as he doesn't cause any more trouble, it's not worth arguing with him.

"However, it is impossible for my Great Wei to agree to another marriage alliance with the Oirat."

However, none of the other agreed-upon conditions can be changed. Consider it their breach of faith and atonement for the more than a thousand innocent soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our Great Wei.

Alright, then I'll trouble you, Lord Xiang, to inform the Oirat envoy that I will personally discuss the revision of the treaty with him tomorrow morning.

If there's nothing else, everyone can leave.

Jia Lian gave his final instructions and then got up and left the council hall.

After he left, the envoys naturally began to whisper among themselves.

In the end, he could only speculate in secret and dared not disobey Jia Lian's decision.