Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 19 The Jia family still holds the knife!

At 11:45 AM, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation within the Qianqing Palace.

"Okay, okay."

When Emperor Yongping, dressed in a dragon robe and crown, received the news from the Embroidered Uniform Army, his face, which had been full of gloom, showed joy.

The amount of silver donated by the nobles alone has reached three million taels. Twenty-four noble residences of the founding line have accepted the imperial decree and recruited 72000 soldiers.

"His Majesty."

Wu Sidao, in his wheelchair, said, “The Beijing garrison originally had tens of thousands of men. In recent days, they have recruited no less than 100,000 young men from the capital. In addition, with the soldiers recruited by these nobles, the total number is 200,000. After some training, they can be sent to Datong.”

"It is now February, spring is in full bloom, and the herdsmen on the grasslands drive their cattle, sheep and horses to follow the water and grass. Even if the Mongol cavalry besieging Datong City have the spoils from Ping'an Prefecture, they cannot hold out for too long."

"As soon as reinforcements arrive, Borjigin Nari will surely withdraw his troops, and the northern frontier will return to its former peace."

Generally, the calving season for cattle and sheep is concentrated in spring to early summer. When the height of summer arrives, the Mongol cavalry will inevitably return to the grasslands to take care of these young livestock. Datong Town only needs to hold on until June.

"Ah."

Emperor Yongping nodded and issued an edict: "Su Peisheng, convey the imperial decree, ordering Prince Teng, the military governor of the capital garrison, to lead troops to Datong."

"Furthermore, all troops in Datong Town, Xuanfu Town, and Shanxi Town shall obey the orders of General Niu Jizong, the General Who Conquers the North."

"Yes."

Without saying a word, Su Peisheng, who was serving by his side, immediately went to draft the imperial edict.

Watching him leave, Emperor Yongping said quietly, "Does the founding lineage think they can understand my meaning?"

"His Majesty."

An unnatural flush crossed Wu Sidao's pale face as he said, "Whether the founding lineage can comprehend the Emperor's will is not important."

"The important thing is that once the Jia family made a move, most of the founding sons of the dynasty were mobilized, and they regarded this crisis in the northern frontier as the best opportunity for their rise."

"After this battle, the founding line will return to the court and will inevitably confront the Yuan Cong line, which is a great fortune."

"Mr. has a good eye."

Emperor Yongping was not surprised at all that Wu Sidao had seen through his thoughts. Just as Wu Sidao said, he knew that it was impossible to subdue the founding lineage so easily, and that he only needed the founding lineage to restrain the Yuan Cong lineage.

With military power divided in two, the imperial court could no longer be as monolithic as before, and his opportunity had arrived.

Coincidentally, at Rongguo Mansion, in Rongxi Hall...

"what?"

"You wretched child, how could you do such a thing?"

After listening to what the others had to say, Jia Zheng's face turned extremely gloomy.

Jia Baoyu's frivolous remarks in front of so many people were already a stain on Lin Daiyu's reputation. Furthermore, Lady Wang's actions were undoubtedly a disgrace to the Lin family, making it impossible for him to face Lin Ruhai in the future.

"Mother."

"You passed."

Jia She also looked displeased and looked up at Grandmother Jia.

Back then, when the second-generation Duke of Rongguo, Jia Daishan, was on his deathbed, he asked the Emperor Emeritus for a favor. Jia Zheng, who should have entered officialdom through the imperial examination, was granted the title of Assistant Minister of Works, a fifth-rank official. His eldest son, Jia She, lived in a side courtyard, while his second son, Jia Zheng, moved into Rongxi Hall. The purpose of this was to reduce the imperial family's fear of the Jia family.

Over the years, Jia She was nominally in charge of the Rongguo Mansion, but in reality, he had no influence over it. With Grandmother Jia above him and the second branch of the family occupying the main hall below, he had no choice but to join the former Crown Prince's camp, hoping to use the merit of supporting the emperor to reclaim everything that should have belonged to him.

Unexpectedly, fate intervened, the former crown prince died, and Emperor Yongping ascended the throne, forcing him and Jia Jing to conceal their talents and retreat into the deep courtyard to become dissolute noble sons. However, this did not mean that he could allow others to tarnish the reputation of the Rongguo Mansion.

"Boss."

Are you accusing me?

Grandmother Jia squinted, staring at Jia She on her left.

"Yes."

In the past, Jia She had always chosen to back down, but this time, he stood his ground and said in a deep voice, "I can turn a blind eye to such an absurd thing as being born with a jade in his mouth more than ten years ago."

“But things are different now. My sister’s body is barely cold, and my brother-in-law has entrusted her to an orphan. I don’t believe you don’t understand what that means.”

"The Lin family has produced four generations of marquises, a family of scholars and renown, and the brother-in-law is even a minister in the current emperor's former residence."

Is Baoyu worthy of him?

boom! ! !
The entire Rongxi Hall was shocked by these words; it turned out that this was what Grandmother Jia had in mind.

Madam Wang kept her head down, and no one saw the gloom and ruthlessness in her eyes.

"Mother."

"Are you confused?" Jia Zheng belatedly realized what was happening and was furious: "This wretched child only knows how to linger in the inner chambers all day long. How is he worthy of a woman like Ruhai?"

"Now they have done something even more disgraceful to their in-laws, and if this gets out, they will surely be ridiculed."

"you."

Grandmother Jia never expected that her two sons would oppose her so unanimously, and she was so speechless that she choked on her words.

"old lady."

"Miss Lin has just entered the household, so why not place her next to Xichun?"

Madam Xing made the suggestion.

"That's how it should be."

Jia She and Jia Zheng thought of Xiao Xue, who was following Xiao Xichun, and immediately expressed their support.

"can."

Grandmother Jia originally intended to place Lin Daiyu in the Bisha Pavilion and Jia Baoyu in the outer room to facilitate their relationship and prepare for their engagement in the future, but both of her sons opposed the idea, so she had no choice but to give up on it.

"evil creature."

"From today onwards, you shall study diligently, cultivate your character, and never dare to disturb Yu'er again."

"I'll break your legs."

Jia Zheng glared fiercely at Jia Baoyu, who was hiding in Grandmother Jia's arms.

"Don't dare."

Jia Baoyu shrank back, terrified.

"Mother."

“My sister-in-law has always been fond of vegetarianism and Buddhist chanting; let others handle the household chores.”

Jia She turned his attention to Lady Wang. After this incident, Lady Wang would certainly no longer be able to continue to manage the inner courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion.

"What you say is very true, elder brother."

Jia Zheng did not show favoritism towards Lady Wang. He always valued etiquette and propriety above all else, so how could he not be angry about this matter?

"Then let Feng'er take over."

Grandmother Jia's words thwarted Madam Xing's plans, and her face turned somewhat unpleasant.

"can."

Jia She and Jia Zheng had no objection to this.

"Yes, my ancestor."

Wang Xifeng was thrilled to have been offered a position as the head of the inner courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion for free.

Only Madam Wang kept her head down, fiddling with the prayer beads in her hands, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

Ningguo Mansion, Ning'an Hall, is separated by a wall.

"Second brother."

"What exactly are you and your father planning to do?"

Jia Zhen asked, somewhat puzzled.

"My purpose in coming here is to clearly show the world that the Jia family still holds the power."