The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 209 How could I not be angry?

Prince Chungshun smiled and said, "However, there is an opportunity worth paying attention to recently."

Compared to Liu Ru, who was both a teacher and a friend, and who preached grand principles all day long, the emperor preferred the truth as told by his uncle. He believed that all talk of benevolence and morality was fake, just a way to fool the people and trick them into working honestly, so that they would be bullied to death without understanding the need to resist.

So these days, the emperor has figured out where he went wrong.

He realized he wasn't ruthless enough, not cold-hearted enough, which was why he lost to the retired emperor. He should have listened to his uncle earlier instead of Liu Ru. With a renewed sense of confidence, the emperor rallied and regained his spirits.

"what chance?"

"It's still those civil officials who only care about their own interests. In order to fight for power and profit, they are going to start using the system of civil officials controlling the military again. This involves a general named Wang Xin. His ability to lead troops in battle should not be underestimated. We can win him over. Maybe he will be the next Luo Ming."

Upon hearing Luo Ming's name, the emperor's expression changed.

Luo Ming was a loyal minister, but also a foolish one. Why couldn't he withstand the pressure? As long as he kept the troops under control, everything could be salvaged. How could he give up so easily because of a temporary setback?

He died, and that was that. It meant he lost all his military power. It was too good for him to die.

Prince Zhongshun said disdainfully, "The Emperor shouldn't have listened to Liu Ru back then. Liu Ru is a civil official, and Luo Ming was already under a lot of pressure. What he needed was support. If it were me, even if I couldn't provide support, I wouldn't hold him back. How could I force him?"

The emperor remained silent, offering no explanation as to why he had agreed to it in the first place.

Every so often, Prince Zhongshun would go to the palace to inform the emperor: "However, I heard that this kid doesn't get along with Prince Teng. If Prince Teng can't even handle this matter, it means that this person is useless. He can only be used once. He failed in Datong. If he can't even fail at this small matter, this person can be eliminated."

The emperor didn't care about Wang Ziteng, but said worriedly, "The four great families are too famous. If they also completely side with the retired emperor, I'm afraid many people will be affected."

Currently, the four major families are divided into three groups: one-third support the retired emperor, one-third support the emperor, and one-third remain neutral. This is actually the greatest benefit for the emperor.

Since the retired emperor is now in power, wouldn't the actions of the four major families be telling the world that the emperor and the retired emperor are on equal footing?
Those below were countless and could not see clearly what was above. They could only inquire about the positions of those with high prestige, and through their positions, they could learn about the situation of the court and make their own choices.

The four founding kings and eight dukes, even though the retired emperor suppressed them for many years, their titles alone were enough to intimidate most people, regardless of anything else.

Besides winning him over, there was also a reward. He had promoted Jia's daughter to the rank of Imperial Concubine, and the reward he had given was so generous, while what Jia gave him in return was nothing. Prince Teng had failed, and the Beijing Garrison had returned to the hands of the retired emperor. It was as if he had lost everything, and the emperor was dissatisfied.

“If Prince Teng can’t handle Wang Xin, then abandon Prince Teng and try to win over Wang Xin instead,” Prince Zhongshun explained.

The emperor asked curiously, "Will it work?"

Prince Zhongshun smiled, raised his hand as he spoke, and said with a raised eyebrow, "I have already inquired about this matter. This young man values ​​gratitude very much, and Lin Ruhai has the greatest influence on him."

By indirectly winning over Wang Xin through Lin Ruhai, a easing of tensions was achieved, resulting in minimal disruption. However, Prince Zhongshun lacked confidence, having heard that the Emperor Emeritus was also trying to win him over. The fact that even the Emperor Emeritus valued this minor guerrilla general further demonstrated his importance.

Prince Zhongshun was unwilling to give up easily and first relied on Prince Teng. If Prince Teng failed, then he could be discarded as a pawn, and the next step would be to rely on Lin Ruhai.

After listening to Prince Zhongshun's reasoning, which was logical, well-founded, and efficient, the Emperor felt much more at ease.

Since the Ministry of War completely took control of the Beijing Garrison, the Emperor was terrified that he would be dragged out and deposed one day. He believed that the retired emperor was capable of doing so. He couldn't sleep all night, and the slightest sound would wake him up. Once he was awake, he could not fall back asleep.

Only after his uncle entered the palace did the emperor feel at ease with his uncle's demeanor. The emperor said to him, "Uncle, if you have nothing else to do, you can come to the palace more often. I miss you very much."

Prince Chungshun, his face full of emotion, said earnestly, “Things outside cannot be rushed or delayed. For the sake of Your Majesty, I am afraid I cannot come to the palace more often. However, please rest assured, Your Majesty, Prince Yiren, Prince Yicheng, as well as Prince Chungyong, Prince Chungmin and other princes and members of the imperial family all support Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing this wonderful news, the emperor couldn't help but step forward, grab his uncle's hand, and say excitedly, "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle."

"It is my duty, how can I talk about hardship?"

Prince Chungshun acted as if it were perfectly natural. As the emperor's uncle, he would not allow the same thing to happen to his nephew, Prince Yichung. The retired emperor might disregard the fate of the country, but the imperial clan would not allow it.

Two days later, Prince Teng went to the Prince Zhongshun's residence.

They left again very quickly.

After hastily boarding the carriage at the entrance of the Prince's Mansion, Prince Teng's face was full of regret. If he had known this would happen, he should have stayed in the position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison. Otherwise, how could he have ended up like this? Prince Zhongshun's attitude was so impatient, completely lacking the enthusiasm he once had.
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Meanwhile, Jia She went out happily early in the morning without giving any instructions. Madam Xing stayed in her room as usual. After a while, someone outside said that her maternal uncle had arrived. Hearing the maids calling for someone, Madam Xing got up to go and see, and sure enough, it was her brother.

Xing Dequan is Madam Xing's brother, but he has accomplished nothing and remains unmarried to this day. He ruined his life by indulging in eating, drinking, gambling, and whoring, but he has lived a carefree and happy life.

"Is my brother-in-law here?" Xing Dequan asked cautiously.

Seeing her brother's state, Madam Xing said impatiently, "Master left early this morning, why did you come without a word?" Xing Dequan felt relieved to hear that his brother-in-law was not there. He casually found a stool to sit on and ordered the maids to bring tea and snacks. The maids dared not disobey and went about their business.

"Your arrival has thrown my place into chaos."

Although she disliked him when they met, she still cared about him when they couldn't see each other. Madam Xing was helpless with her brothers from her maternal family and had given up completely. She complained, but did not stop the maids.

Xing Dequan didn't care at all. He reclined back and grinned, "It's very quiet here. It's not lively at all. If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have anyone to talk to."

Madam Xing pouted and scolded, "I'm glad you're not angry with me. Now, tell me, how much money do you want this time?"

The Xing family had long since fallen into decline. In order to support her maternal family, Madam Xing deliberately told others that she still managed the Xing family's property after her marriage.

In the Jia family, Madam Xing only received a monthly allowance and did not manage the affairs of the household, so she had no extra income. Meanwhile, Xing Dequan spent money incessantly, which gave Madam Xing a great headache. Xing Dequan also felt that his younger sister was stingy, and that he was always the one who was most embarrassed whenever he went to Ningguo Mansion.

Madam Xing knew that her brother would never have come to see her if he hadn't been broke.

Xing Dequan revealed a smug smile, raised his eyebrows and said loudly, "Completely wrong."

"What did I do wrong?"

“You all think I’m out fooling around all day, but you don’t see who I hang out with. They’re all rich kids. You women wouldn’t understand.” Xing Dequan said with a triumphant look on his face.

No one knows a brother better than his sister, Madam Xing said disdainfully, "They're all a bunch of good-for-nothing playboys."

"Hey." Xing Dequan clapped his hands, sat up, and moved closer to his sister, saying seriously, "Do you know where your brother-in-law went?"

Madam Xing ignored her brother's pretentious act; she had just asked him that question.

“I’m sure of it.” Xing Dequan guessed what his sister was thinking and couldn’t help but say loudly, “You, the dignified wife of the first wife and the rightful mistress of Rongguo Mansion, have become like this. They’re so stingy when they ask you for a little money.”

Madam Xing frowned, about to speak, when Xing Dequan continued, "Let me tell you, brother-in-law is about to make his fortune, your good days are coming."

After hearing this, Madam Xing felt completely bewildered.

Xing Dequan proudly revealed the information he had learned, which he had also heard from the Ningguo Mansion.

Regarding the matter of Prince Zhongshun and Prince Teng, Xing Dequan laughed and said, "That Prince Teng returned to the capital like a stray dog, and now he's a drowning dog. But our Jia family is still the Jia family. As the saying goes, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Prince Zhongshun will eventually be replaced. My brother-in-law was invited to meet Prince Zhongshun today."

The Wang family and the main branch of the Rongguo Mansion share the same road.

But Wang Ziteng was powerful and had suppressed the first wife for many years, and the second wife secretly cooperated with him, so how could Xing Dequan not be happy?

My younger sister is the mistress of the Rongguo Mansion. Now that Prince Teng has lost power, my brother-in-law's family will gain power. When my sister is in charge and has more money, won't my life be more comfortable?

Xing Dequan was even more anxious than Madam Xing: "They are clearly the master and mistress, but outside they are called the eldest master and the eldest mistress. They are clearly the second master and the second mistress, but they are called the master and the mistress. Aren't they ashamed?"

"All right."

Madam Xing was happy for a while, but then she became annoyed again.

Wang Shanbao's wife, Fei Pozi, and the others—people she brought from the Xing family—all started blaming themselves.

Xing Dequan was displeased and not only did he not restrain himself, but he said with a look of disappointment, "Look at what those women surnamed Wang have done. They wish they could empty the Jia family and send it back to their own families. They even lost the position of Jiedushi. Look at how the women of the Wang family have acted."

Madam Xing then fell silent.

She did give her brothers a lot of money, but it was all her own monthly allowance, and she used her own money. Who in the mansion had the right to laugh at her? But the whole mansion knew about it, as if she had been subsidizing her maternal family with the Jia family's property.

The two people in charge, however, have a good reputation, as they handle all the big and small matters.

All the good reputation and good things go to them, while she herself is disliked by the old lady and doesn't get a good reputation outside. Her original maids and servants are all dissatisfied, and even her brothers are dissatisfied.

How could Madam Xing not be angry? This was too much of a bullying!

In the afternoon, Jia She returned home, looking delighted as if he had encountered a great stroke of luck. Even his attitude towards Madam Xing improved considerably.

(End of this chapter)