Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Back in the palace, when Jia Lian had another audience with the Emperor, only Princess Zhaoyang was by his side.

Jia Lian guessed that Emperor Ningkang kept Princess Zhaoyang behind to hear her report on the imperial clan. Judging from their expressions, Princess Zhaoyang's reply should have satisfied Emperor Ningkang.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Rise."

"Your Majesty, I have already considered the matter. The newly established artillery battalion plans to forge 300 'Zhenyuan Cannons,' recruit or transfer 1,500 artillerymen, 3,000 musketeers, and 500 other craftsmen and laborers. I request Your Majesty's permission."

Although Emperor Ningkang had previously said that he could simply write down all the regulations and submit them in a memorial, seemingly agreeing to do whatever he wanted, Jia Lian was no fool. To get this done as quickly as possible, he decided to seek Emperor Ningkang's opinion first. After all, it was easy for him to see the emperor, so this way, things would be more efficient.

As expected, Emperor Ningkang frowned upon hearing this, looking at Jia Lian with a somewhat speechless expression.

They're talking about a force of five thousand right off the battalion. Keep in mind that the Shenji Battalion previously only had around three thousand across all its departments. Now that the firearms unit has been separated out, the force has actually increased?

It wasn't that Emperor Ningkang was stingy; judging from the funding Jia Lian had previously allocated for firearms research, Emperor Ningkang knew that firearms were far more expensive than swords, spears, and halberds. For example, the three cannons they saw today were all incredibly valuable.

Only when you're in charge do you realize how expensive oil and salt are. Although he was the emperor, he dared not manufacture them carelessly. Therefore, Emperor Ningkang pondered and said, "Since I have already agreed to expand your navy, casting three hundred cannons is not a problem, but what about the three thousand musketeers..."

Emperor Ningkang was just about to find a reason to cut back on the troops Jia Lian requested when Jia Lian hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, while cannons are important, muskets cannot be ignored! Your Majesty is well-versed in military affairs and should understand that I am not making an exorbitant demand. Rather, an army of more than three thousand can be considered of considerable size and have substantial combat power. And if Your Majesty wants to truly test the effectiveness of muskets on the battlefield, you must give me these three thousand soldiers."

"Your Majesty, I hereby pledge my loyalty and promise to train these musketeers for a year. Afterwards, whether Your Majesty deploys me north to confront the Oirats or to assist the navy in campaigns against the Japanese and their pirates, if I fail to achieve outstanding victories, I am willing to accept any punishment Your Majesty may impose!"

Princess Zhaoyang smiled slightly when she saw Jia Lian's audacity in cornering Emperor Ningkang. She stepped forward and said, "Father, why don't we follow Marquis Zhenyuan's advice? If it succeeds, our Great Wei will have another powerful and capable army."

If this plan fails, it will prove that firearms are not as powerful as the Marquis of Zhenyuan claimed, allowing Father Emperor to see their true nature as soon as possible. All things considered, this will be beneficial and harmless to Father Emperor.

Emperor Ningkang silently watched the two young people below, who were both of impeccable character and were singing in perfect harmony. He suddenly thought to himself that if he had actually forced the two of them to be a couple, it might not have been considered a forced matchmaking...

Distracted for a moment, Emperor Ningkang sighed helplessly. What could he do now that things had come to this point? After all, Jia Lian only wanted three thousand, not thirty thousand.

Looking at Jia Lian, and as Jia Lian bowed his head to indicate he was listening, he said, "Since you say so, I grant your request. I will not only grant you these few thousand men, but I will also allow you to draw troops from several major camps in the capital so that you can quickly establish the firearms battalion."

However, I have stated beforehand that if you fail to produce the results you have promised today within a year, don't blame me for disregarding the bond between ruler and subject.

Jia Lian exclaimed happily, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I am absolutely confident!"

"Hmph. In that case, your Firearms Battalion will also have five thousand soldiers under its command. Once the battalion is fully formed, I will appoint you as the commander of the Firearms Battalion, with a rank equivalent to that of the Divine Machine Battalion, namely the third rank."

"Your humble servant kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's grace, and is willing to serve you to the death!"

With another cold snort, Emperor Ningkang made Jia Lian stand up and said, "Since you've come, I have something to tell you."

"Your Jia family is both a founding family of the dynasty and a relative of the emperor. Now that the court is carrying out a land reclamation campaign, your Jia family should actively cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue and the officials in charge, setting an example for all the families of the dynasty."

"Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Jia Lian sighed inwardly. Setting such an example was not easy; it could easily make other prominent families in the capital look at them differently. However, at this juncture, it was impossible to please both sides. Since he had already made up his mind to cling to Emperor Ningkang's coattails, there was no reason for the Jia family to go against him. They should just board Emperor Ningkang's big ship together.

Emperor Ningkang was pleased with Jia Lian's reaction and was about to offer his praise when Jia Lian suddenly asked, "Forgive my impertinence, but I wonder what the imperial clan's attitude is towards the land survey of the court? Your Majesty, please do not take offense. I have no other intention than that I know that all the noble families in the empire take the imperial clan as their role model. Therefore, if the imperial clan opposes this matter, even if we cooperate, I fear that other noble families will find it difficult to accept. At that time, there will likely be quite a few who outwardly comply but inwardly defy it."

Emperor Ningkang listened without comment, only glancing at Princess Zhaoyang.

Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, "Marquis Zhenyuan, there's no need to worry. The imperial clan is also on the side of the Emperor and the court. Since I was ordered to convey the court's message to the imperial clan, most of them have expressed their support for the court. Even if there are a few who oppose it, they are insignificant under the general trend of the court."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled outwardly, but her inner amusement deepened. She had already revealed to Jia Lian her efforts to persuade the imperial family, and Jia Lian had even offered her advice. Now, she was putting on an act in front of her father, the Emperor. She wondered what she was trying to achieve.

But Jia Lian showed her admiration, and then bowed to Emperor Ningkang and said, "Your Majesty is good at recognizing and employing people, and the Princess is even more kind and intelligent. Although she is a woman, she can relieve Your Majesty's worries. She is truly Your Majesty's good fortune and the good fortune of our Great Wei."

Emperor Ningkang scolded, "I see you as a capable person. Stop learning from others' flattery and sycophancy, lest you waste your talents!"

"Uh, Your Majesty is right..."

Princess Zhaoyang watched the conversation between the emperor and his minister with a smile, feeling somewhat gratified. Although she knew that Jia Lian was highly regarded by her father, she didn't know exactly why Jia Lian had gained her father's trust in such a short time. She could only attribute it to Jia Lian's exceptional talent.

However, now that she was standing in the South Study, watching Jia Lian interact with her father, the Emperor, she suddenly understood.

This is hardly the behavior of a ruler and his subject; their manner of speaking and tone are almost like that of a father and son. No, whether it's the Crown Prince or the Third Prince, they are all very nervous and restrained in front of their father. They are nowhere near as harmonious as Jia Lian is in this situation.

His own foolish younger brother was quite casual in front of their father, but he was either being scolded or on his way to being scolded. In this respect, Jia Lian was somewhat like Ling'er after all his mischievous flaws had been corrected. It seemed that even though their father was the ruler of the world, he still hoped to have a son like Jia Lian who was both talented and considerate.

Thinking about it this way, Princess Zhaoyang couldn't help but guess that if her father found out about her relationship with Jia Lian in the future, he might not react too strongly.

……

Princess Zhaoyang's carriage slowly came to a stop in front of him, and Jia Lian, who had been walking inside the deep walls for a while, couldn't help but stop and bow to greet her.

That's the difference. Even though he was a close confidant of the emperor, he could only walk on foot in the palace. He couldn't even ride a horse, let alone take a carriage.

The golden carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Princess Zhaoyang's bright face. "It was inconvenient to speak in the South Study just now, so I would like to congratulate Marquis Zhenyuan on his promotion again."

"How dare I? It's just a minor promotion of one rank, nothing to brag about in front of the princess."

Even so, Jia Lian was still somewhat pleased. A military officer being promoted from the fourth rank to the third rank might seem like just one level, but it was a chasm that most military officers could never cross in their entire lives.

According to the custom of the Great Wei Dynasty, those of the third rank and above can be called generals, that is, true generals in name and in fact.

In the eyes of other officials, this would naturally be met with envy and resentment, but in front of Princess Zhaoyang, there was really nothing to be proud of. After all, she started her career directly from the first rank.

Princess Zhaoyang looked at Jia Lian through the window and suddenly smiled, "Since Marquis Zhenyuan has agreed to cooperate with the court in clearing up the land, I happen to be one of the personnel in charge of this land clearing. If the Marquis doesn't mind, I would like to invite the Marquis to get in the carriage to discuss some details."

Discussing the details? Jia Lian frowned involuntarily, wanting to politely decline, but seeing Princess Zhaoyang's radiant smile and her strong confidence in facing all concerns, Jia Lian sighed inwardly, bowed his thanks, and skillfully jumped into Princess Zhaoyang's luxurious carriage and got inside.

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation of the Daming Palace, Emperor Ningkang, who was bathing his feet, frowned slightly upon hearing the eunuch's report and asked again, "Did you see clearly? Did the Marquis of Zhenyuan really get into the Princess's carriage?"

"Yes, this servant has seen clearly. It seems that it was Her Highness the Princess who took the initiative to invite Marquis Zhenyuan..."

"I understand. You may leave."

……