Chapter 11: Emperor Jing Sheng in the Qian Qing Gong

Tan Chun said, then took a small embroidered cloth pouch from a nearby maid's hand, placed it on the round table; it was heavy, looking like it contained at least forty to fifty taels of silver.

Jia Jing looked at Tan Chun's unrefusable expression and laughed, saying:

"You don't have much monthly allowance, and now you give me so much at once—how will you manage yourselves?"

He did know that Tan Chun, Xichun and Yingchun each only received two taels per month,

though they might collect a bit during festivals, it wasn't much.

Moreover, Tan Chun has a Concubine Zhao who constantly asks her for money, and Yingchun even dares to steal her silver ornaments from the wet nurse.

So the money they have is certainly not much.

Tan Chun, hearing this, said with a mixture of amusement and helplessness:

"We don't spend much money in the mansion; food, clothing, necessities, and accessories all come from the household's silver."

"If we truly need emergency funds, we can ask Sister Lin; she'll support us."

Jia Jing laughed:

"Little Sister Lin is still a little rich lady; I almost forgot!"

Lin Daiyu is favored by Jia Mu and has a father, Lin Ruhai, who is an Imperial Salt Inspector; money is never lacking for her.

"Hmph!"

Lin Daiyu wrinkled her nose and let out a delicate snort, clearly displeased with the "little rich lady" title.

She also took a small silver pouch from Zi Juan's hand and placed it on the table.

Beside them, Yingchun not only produced a small embroidered cloth pouch but also took a coat and a pair of shoes from Si Qi's hand, gently reminding:

"These are the clothes and shoes I made for you a while ago; the weather is turning cool, so wear them!"

"Out there, take good care of yourself, keep good relations with colleagues, and don't act rashly! I've heard those Tatars are ferocious; if a fight breaks out, don't be at the front."

Jia Jing saw his own sister's thoughtful care and felt somewhat moved.

Yingchun's disposition is weak; enduring Jia She's pressure to deliver these items now is truly difficult.

Jia Jing took the items, nodded, and said, "Don't worry, sister; I can take good care of myself!"

"If anything displeases you at the mansion later, send me a letter; when I return, I'll stand up for you!"

Yingchun gave no reply, taking it as mere consolation, and went to a corner to wipe her tears.

Xichun and Xiao Jiaoer are about the same age, only four or five years old,

and at this moment also held a small embroidered cloth pouch, placed it on the table, and said:

"Third Brother, you must come back quickly! Xiao Jiaoer says you tell stories; I also want to hear you tell stories!"

"Alright! When Third Brother returns, I'll tell you." Jia Jing laughed.

Finally, even Xiao Jiaoer reached into his sleeve pocket, pulled out a small piece of broken silver, placed it in Jia Jing's hand, and said:

"Third Uncle, this is all I have! Please remember to come back and see me!"

Jia Jing was both amused and exasperated; he tried to return the silver to Xiao Jiaoer, but she stubbornly refused.

He could only say to Tan Chun and Lin Daiyu, "Later, please look after this little girl more for me!"

"I know it's not easy for you in the inner residence; the servants in the mansion are all mixed‑up, unable to distinguish rank and status, and they often treat you perfunctorily!"

"Now I have no time to argue with them; when I return, I'll naturally have a proper talk with them!"

Tan Chun and Lin Daiyu smiled and agreed, yet they didn't expect Jia Jing to change anything upon his return!

How could a duke's mansion be without some vexing matters? Moreover, the problem's root isn't the servants; if the lord fails to shoulder his responsibility, how can one blame the servants for disrespect!

After a round of jokes among them,

who would have thought that Ping Er, under Wang Xifeng's order, brought fifty taels of silver as a ceremonial gift.

In the end, Jia Jing, under the reluctant gazes of everyone, shouldered his pack and left Rongguo Gongfu.

…………

A few days later.

Shenjing City, the Imperial Palace.

Qian Qing Gong.

This power center of the Da Han Empire's hundreds of millions of subjects now echoed with roars.

"What on earth is Li Long doing? Thirty thousand elite border troops were utterly defeated by the Tatars, and they even lost Yongning Fortress."

"The Tatars slaughtered our soldiers and civilians! He still has the face to plead for forgiveness; why doesn't he just die on the battlefield!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di's face turned ashen; he slammed the memorial in his hand onto the desk before him and shouted angrily.

"He hasn't just betrayed me; he has betrayed the hundreds of millions of Da Han subjects! How can he still have any face to survive in this world!"

"Before the war he was supremely confident, flaunting a victorious air; he demanded troops, supplies, authority—I gave him everything!"

"Now after a single battle he has lost soldiers, broken generals, surrendered cities and lands, yet still boasts that 'the Tatars, ten thousand strong, are unbeatable'— utterly incompetent!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di again swept all the memorials off the desk onto the floor, his face flushed red, clearly at the peak of his rage.

"It is said that Duke Cao, on the front line, believed a Taoist's words; the Taoist claimed he could employ the Daoist 'Six Jia Method', arranging nine thousand nine hundred men into a great formation to capture the Qing Army commander alive and defeat the enemy."

"So they opened the city gates, sending nine thousand nine hundred soldiers together with the Taoist into battle, only to be soundly defeated by the Qing Army!"

"The city gates were breached, thirty thousand troops were killed or captured in countless numbers, Yongning Fortress was brutally sacked by the Tatar commander Aisin Gioro Yin Ti, most of the fifty thousand inhabitants were slain, and only Duke Cao, with a few hundred personal guards, fled in disgrace."

Beside them, the eunuch Xia Shouzhong of the Six Palaces trembled, lowered his head, and reported the military intel obtained from the Imperial City bureau, daring not to conceal a single detail!

"Damn! Damn! Truly damned…"

"Is Li Long a fool? To believe such nonsense!"

"Wasn't he bragging that the war‑stabilizing martial officials could fight better than the founding heroes?"

"I think he's not stupid but wicked! Was he already bribed by the Qing Army? At this critical moment for the nation, all demons and monsters have shown their true forms!"

"Sooner or later I will sweep away this bunch of corpse‑seat, double‑minded dogs!"

Draft edict! Order immediately strip Duke of Cao Li Long of all titles and offices, escort back to Shenjing, no need for interrogation, directly escort to the Vegetable Market Gate for execution! The whole Li manor is sent to Zhao Yu, exiled to the South of the Ling Mountains! Even amnesty does not pardon!

Jing Sheng Di slammed his fist on the table before him, a fierce light flashing in his eyes, and angrily ordered Xia Shouzhong:

This...

Xia Shouzhong heard this but did not immediately accept the edict; instead, he hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping.

Seeing this, Jing Sheng Di's eyes flashed with a cold light—it was not aimed at Xia Shouzhong,

but rather toward the Dragon Head Palace outside the hall, he coldly said:

How! My good brother cannot bear loneliness again, trying to win hearts with false benevolence and righteousness!

Xia Shouzhong heard this, hesitated, and said:

Today the Li family members have already entered the palace to see the Retired Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager; the Retired Emperor subsequently summoned the Duke of Zhao, the Duke of Cheng, and other Jingnan War Merit holders, saying that although the Duke of Cao suffered defeat, he was still loyal to the state, merely lacking ability, and his crime does not merit death…

Now the Jingnan War Merit holders are active everywhere, seeking to plead for the Duke of Cao!

Heh heh... Jing Sheng Di laughed angrily.