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

Chapter 73 A Major Move by the Founding Lineage: A Do-or-Die Strategy!
At 1:45 PM, the bestowal of titles in the Hall of Supreme Harmony was drawing to a close. The revival of the founding lineage and the emergence of the Yongping nobility occurred almost simultaneously.

Marquis Jia Yan stood in the first position on the right, which was not only the position for military generals but also for meritorious nobles. Behind him were Niu Jizong, Hou Xiaokang, Liu Fang, Nian Gengyao, Yue Zhongqi, Zhang Guangsi, and Wang Ziteng, all of whom were meritorious nobles from the founding line.

Although the nobles of the Yuan Cong lineage were resentful, they had no choice but to back down in the face of such a powerful force. After all, the Yuan Cong lineage only had two first-class earls, both of whom inherited their merits from the previous generation. Their achievements were all earned through their own hard work.

"My esteemed ministers, if you have matters to report, please do so; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"

After a whole day of turmoil, Emperor Yongping was exhausted, and his eyes showed fatigue as he looked at his civil and military officials.

"Your Majesty, this humble general has a report to make!"

Just as the officials were preparing to take their leave, the newly appointed Marquis Niu Jizong stepped forward.

'Whoosh!'

Countless eyes turned to him simultaneously, and everyone looked puzzled.

"allow!!!"

Emperor Yongping narrowed his eyes, releasing an invisible imperial pressure, and waved his hand.

"His Majesty."

"This humble general is the grandson of the Duke of Zhenguo of the Great Qian Dynasty, inheriting his ancestral merits and serving the country."

"I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's great grace, which has enabled me to be appointed as the General Who Conquers the North and command troops to garrison Datong. That is how I have earned my title today."

"However, the blessings of a virtuous person will decline after three generations and end after five generations. If their descendants have no ambition, they will only be parasites."

"The fall of the Ming Dynasty was not due to external factors, but rather to internal treachery. Nobles, relatives, officials, and gentry wantonly plundered the people's wealth and oppressed them, causing widespread suffering and leading to uprisings. This is why Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, and others gathered their forces to start an army."

"Our late ancestor was wise and powerful, saving the land from collapse and restoring the Han dynasty's territory of two capitals and thirteen provinces. We, his descendants, should emulate him, strive for progress, and live up to the expectations of the dynasty and the imperial family."

'? ? ? '

The civil and military officials looked bewildered. Only a small number of them had a rough idea of ​​what was going on, but they weren't quite sure.

"This humble general is willing to relinquish the honor of his ancestors and return the Duke's mansion and all his fiefdoms to the imperial court. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request!"

Niu Jizong's last words resounded like a bolt from the blue throughout the Hall of Supreme Harmony, shocking everyone.

"The general seconded the proposal!"

In an instant, all the leaders of the founding noble lineage, including Liu Fang, Chen Ruiwen, Ma Shang, Hou Xiaokang, Shi Guangzhu, Qi Jianhui, Qiu Liang, Jiang Zining, and Xie Jing, stepped forward, while only Marquis Baoling Shi Nai and Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding stood there at a loss.

'How dare you?!'

Emperor Yongping gripped the armrests of the dragon throne tightly with both hands, his veins bulging, his heart blazing with anger that he could barely contain.

"it is good!!!"

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Among the imperial relatives, Prince Yizhong not only cheered but also applauded and cheered in the hall.

'Fourteenth brother!'

Prince Chungshun quickly tugged at his sleeve.

"His Majesty."

"Lord Niu's deep concern for the country should not be betrayed."

"What do you think?"

Prince Yizhong completely ignored Prince Zhongshun's advice and instead spoke even louder.

"Your Majesty, we humbly request that you grant Marquis Niu's request!"

One after another, loyalists of Prince Yizhong stepped forward to support Niu Jizong's petition. At this moment, the atmosphere in the entire court became extremely tense. Everyone knew that the petition from the founding lineage was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a premeditated act. They used this opportunity of bestowing honors to make this request, putting the emperor in a precarious position. If Emperor Yongping could not come up with a foolproof plan, it would undoubtedly be a huge blow to his prestige.

If Emperor Yongping agrees, the reputation of being harsh and ungrateful will be forever etched on him, and he will be unable to wash it away. But if he does not agree, it would be tantamount to betraying the patriotic heart of the founding lineage.

'Rebellious ministers and traitors! '

Emperor Yongping, seated high on the dragon throne, had eyes full of hatred. He never expected the founding lineage to pull such a stunt, and he certainly never expected Prince Yizhong to 'help' him and push the matter to the forefront of public attention.

Among the civil officials, none of the six ministers stepped forward, most officials remained in a wait-and-see mode, and the powerful nobles of the Yuan dynasty completely stayed out of it. Wu Shifan inwardly exclaimed in admiration, 'Excellent tactic!'

'Yan-ge'!

Jia She spotted the composed Jia Yan at a glance and concluded that his nephew was the mastermind behind the whole affair, filling him with mixed emotions.

Jia Zheng and Jia Zhen were still in a daze. How could it be that in the blink of an eye, the founding lineage was all offering up their ancestral property? What were they going to do?
"His Majesty."

Zhang Tingyu, the Minister of Personnel and Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall, rose to prominence quietly.

"explain."

Emperor Yongping rubbed his temples with his fingers, completely ignoring the head of the civil officials. After all, he knew that Zhang Tingyu was not loyal to him, but to the retired emperor of the Daming Palace. Not only Zhang Tingyu, but all the ministers of the six ministries were trusted confidants promoted by Emperor Shunkang.

"I believe that what Marquis Niu said is not without reason. The sons of the founding nobles are often extravagant, and this has been seen and heard many times in the capital."

“There are many people who engage in cockfighting, dog racing, prostitution, and alcoholism. Such illegal practices must not be encouraged.”

Holding a white jade tablet and dressed in a vermilion-purple official robe embroidered with cranes, Zhang Tingyu exuded an air of refined elegance, attracting the attention of civil and military officials.

"What do you mean, my dear minister?"

Emperor Yongping looked at Zhang Tingyu expressionlessly.

"Your Majesty, I humbly suggest that you grant Marquis Niu's request to temporarily reclaim the mansions and estates of the founding nobles."

"Those who are granted titles for their merits this time will be granted their mansions and property according to their rank."

Zhang Tingyu's voice once again drew the attention of the high-ranking officials.

'clever!'

Many people present praised Zhang Tingyu, saying that he truly deserved to be the head of the civil officials, as his suggestion directly solved Emperor Yongping's problem.

"Draft an imperial edict."

After giving Zhang Tingyu a deep look, Emperor Yongping said in a deep voice, "The mansions and lands of the founding nobles shall all be taken back."

"The title of Superior Rank allows one to inherit the honors of one's ancestors, including titles, mansions, and estates."

"For those below the rank of Superior Grade, after approval by the Imperial Clan Court, the Ministry of Works will rebuild their residences and then grant them back to the family."

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Niu Jizong and other founding nobles responded readily, completely satisfied.

They had long anticipated this outcome. After this incident, Emperor Yongping would have to think twice before dealing with the founding lineage again. After all, they had even returned their ancestral possessions to the dynasty. Unless it was a serious crime of rebellion or treason, confiscating the property of the founding lineage would undoubtedly be a provocation to the world.

"hehe!"

Seeing that the dust had settled, Prince Yizhong glanced at the ranks of nobles with a smile on his lips, his gaze lingering on Jia Yan for a long while.

'I see! ’

Prince Shui Rong of Beijing also came to his senses, his eyes filled with astonishment. He looked at Marquis Shi Nai of Baoling and Marquis Shi Ding of Zhongjing with some pity. These two guys had no idea what had happened!

Almost everyone overlooked one thing: the Jia family, the former head of the founding lineage, and no one mentioned the two Duke's mansions of the Jia family.

(End of this chapter)