The Military Governor in Dream of the Red Chamber

After Jia Chen arrived at Desheng Fort, Liu Tianwang did not give him time to rest and immediately mounted his horse and set off.

Liu Tianwang didn't mind Jia Mao returning to the capital with him and let him come along.

They're all from the Jia family, one more person won't make a difference.

The group marched at full speed on horseback, rather than traveling slowly.

It is clear that Liu Tian was eager to rush back to the capital to finalize the selection of personnel.

There was no other way; this was a major issue, as it concerned whether he could better establish himself in Datong Town in the future.

So as soon as he received the imperial decree, he set off immediately.

We were on the road almost all day, only taking occasional breaks along the way.

We stayed overnight at the inn.

"A post station!" Jia Chen sighed inwardly as he lay in bed.

Last year, the new emperor closed down many post stations.

As for the few remaining post stations, new rules were introduced. In the past, officials were charged according to their rank and corresponding standard fees.

If it exceeds the limit, make up for it yourself.

If there are accompanying persons, and they are not officials, then they also have to pay for it themselves.

In the past, these signs were posted at post stations.

When officials traveled, not to mention their families, there were also servants, sedan chair bearers, and so on. The food and drink of all of them had to be provided by the post stations.

The expenses of the post station were simply too high.

The new emperor abolished the post stations in order to save money.

The imperial treasury was empty, with expenditures exceeding income, necessitating various cost-cutting measures.

Jia Chen couldn't help but recall the abolition of post stations during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty, which ultimately caused Li Zicheng to lose his job and join the peasant uprising army.

Will this Great Hong Dynasty also produce a Li Zicheng?

Jia Chen thought it was very likely.

The world of Dream of the Red Chamber is similar to that of the Ming Dynasty, with a similar historical trajectory.

The signs of the dynasty's demise are becoming increasingly apparent.

Even without Li Zicheng, there would probably have been Wang Zicheng.

Thinking about all this, Jia Chen's desire to seize power intensified.

Qianshanbao must be managed well; it is its starting point and its foundation.

"Ouch~~" Jia Mao's groan echoed in my ears.

He was on the bed next to Jia Chen.

"What's wrong?" Jia Chen couldn't help but ask.

"Second Uncle, my thigh, my butt, it really hurts so much!" Jia Mao gasped.

Jia Chen could only shake his head helplessly.

On this day of intense horseback riding, Jia Chen was alright and could manage, but Jia Mao was different; he was exhausted.

Jia Mao had just learned to ride a horse and was not yet proficient.

The skin on my inner thighs was chafed raw, and my butt wasn't much better.

"Just bear with it," Jia Chen said.

There's no other way; I have to go back to Beijing. This is the price I have to pay.

Three days later, in the evening, Jia Chen and his party returned to the capital.

Liu Tianwang told Jia Chen and the other man to go home and rest first, and that he would send someone to inform them to go to the Beijing garrison to select people in a few days.

It wasn't that Liu Tianwang wasn't in a hurry; he wished he could go to the Beijing garrison immediately.

However, this matter still needs to go through procedures. Even if an imperial edict is received, it is still necessary to report to the Ministry of War, and the approval will take several days.

The horse was led away, and Jia Chen and Jia Mao had to walk home.

"Second Uncle, let me give you a ride." After dismounting, Jia Mao's legs trembled so badly that he could barely stand.

He's really had a tough time these past three days, and he doesn't look well either.

Jia Chen smiled and helped him up.

"Can you still walk?" Jia Chen asked.

"Let me calm down, calm down. If I go back like this, people will laugh at me," Jia Mao said.

Jia Chen let him sit for a while, and after he felt better, the two of them slowly walked towards Ningrong Street.

The original owner of this body had all the memories here, but now that Jia Chen has truly set foot here, the feeling is different.

He had witnessed the prosperity of the capital city.

The places I stayed at before, Zhenqiangbao and Deshengbao, are nothing compared to this place.

The streets were bustling with people and vehicles, and the cries of various vendors rose and fell.

Walk a little further and you'll reach Ningrong Street.

Aside from seeing my family in this life, I don't know if I'll have the chance to see the young ladies of the Jia family.

It's probably impossible, that's all Jia Chen thought.

"Hey, isn't this Jia Chen? Aren't you in Datong? What are you doing here?" A surprised voice suddenly came from behind the two of them.

Jia Chen and the other man knew who it was as soon as they heard the voice.

"Wang Shen, it's none of your business where we are," Jia Mao said bluntly.

The man who arrived was Wang Shen, with several lackeys beside him.

"Jia Mao, watch your mouth!" One of the men next to Wang Shen immediately stepped forward, pointed at Jia Mao, and shouted, "Standing before you now is Commander Wang, the Commander-in-Chief!"

"Commander-in-Chief? Isn't it a junior officer?" Jia Mao was taken aback.

Jia Chen remained silent, only staring at Wang Shen.

"Hmph, you didn't know, did you?" A smug look appeared on the man's face. "Just one month after you went to Datong, Lord Wang was promoted to captain."

"Shut up!" Wang Shen stopped him from continuing, then said to Jia Chen, "I heard that Datong was plundered by the Northern barbarians, and I was worried that you might have met with misfortune. It seems that I was overthinking it. Jia Chen, when you return to the Beijing garrison, you will be promoted to the rank of captain. It's just a pity that the quota for captain promotion this year has been used up. Of course, it doesn't matter, you will definitely be promoted next year."

After saying that, Wang Shen didn't forget to wipe the badge on his waist and show it off to the two of them.

Jia Chen frowned. Next year?

If we really have to wait until next year, there will probably be some excuse to keep delaying, and my promotion to captain will probably be a long way off.

Those in the Beijing camp had long anticipated being suppressed.

Similarly, he was not surprised at all by Wang Shen's promotion.

Who can blame him when he has Wang Ziteng backing him up?

"Congratulations," Jia Chen said with a faint smile.

"You?" Wang Shen was somewhat surprised by Jia Chen's reaction.

In his opinion, Jia Chen would definitely be angry after hearing this, right?

Logically speaking, after the martial arts competition at the training ground, if there were to be a promotion to captain, Jia Chen would be given priority.

Now that he's on it himself and Jia Chen isn't, this is his reaction?

Doesn't it seem like you don't care at all?

Wang Shen was a little unsure whether Jia Chen had misheard what he had just said.

"You're congratulating me on my promotion to captain?" Wang Shen couldn't help but ask again, wanting to confirm.

"Of course," Jia Chen said with a smile.

If he were in the Beijing garrison, Jia Chen would indeed feel angry if he didn't get a promotion.

But there's no need for that now.

He knew the situation of the Beijing Garrison perfectly well.

Besides, he's no longer a soldier in the Beijing garrison, so he's too lazy to argue with Wang Shen.

"That's the commander!" Wang Shen's men shouted.

"Is being a captain really that impressive?" Jia Mao couldn't help but ask. "My second uncle is..."

"Jia Mao!" Jia Chen interrupted Jia Mao, not letting him continue.

"Jia Mao, you are nothing but a lowly soldier, yet you dare to spout such nonsense?" the man roared. "This is insubordination, an offense against the Commander-in-Chief! What crime do you deserve?"

They'll start labeling people right away.

Wang Shen's lackeys started shouting, saying that Jia Mao was insubordinate and didn't know the difference between superiors and inferiors.

Wang Shen himself did not express his opinion, which meant he tacitly approved of the behavior of these lackeys.

He really disliked Jia Chen. Since Jia Mao and Jia Chen had a good relationship, Jia Mao naturally became a target of his attention.

Now that we've got the chance, it's a good idea to teach them a lesson.

"Second Uncle, I'll do it!" Jia Mao whispered to Jia Chen, then pointed at the guy who had spoken earlier and beckoned with his finger, "Come here."

"Me?" The man pointed to his nose.

"Who else could it be but you?" Jia Mao sneered.

A hint of panic appeared on his face. Jia Mao was no pushover; he was a skilled fighter.

Normally, in the Beijing garrison, three or five people might not be a match for him.

Just as he was hesitating, he heard Wang Shen suddenly cough lightly.

The cough startled him.

What's there to be afraid of? There are several of us on our side.

Could it be that Jia Mao really dares to commit insubordination?

If they really take action, and the matter is investigated, Jia Mao will be in deep trouble.