Chapter 12: Regular Seventh‑grade Yangwei Colonel

What a perfect case of a crime not deserving death, then the tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians who died on the battlefield should have died?

Indeed, after all, his Zhu Zhen's defeat back then caused the Da Han Empire to lose and wound several hundred thousand soldiers, the founding lineage's martial merit was wiped out, the common people were countless, and we lost a thousand li of land.

Later he even became the "Gate-Calling Emperor", losing power and humiliating the nation to this extent, and yet he still returned to the court as the Retired Emperor. Compared with him, Li Long truly is a crime not deserving death!

Every word of Emperor Jing Sheng Di was laced with unmistakable sarcasm.

Xia Shouzhong did not dare to take up that remark.

Although he was Emperor Jing Sheng Di's trusted confidant, it was precisely his adherence to the duties of a subordinate that earned the emperor's growing trust.

When the nation faces such peril, Henan is plagued by wandering refugees, Jiangnan has entangled aristocratic clans, the northwest has the Mongols, Liaodong has the Khitans, and the southwest is also recently unstable.

I think of these all night and cannot sleep…

He, on the contrary! He cares not for the nation's big picture, still fights for power and profit, still buys people's hearts!

All these years I have tolerated him again and again, yet he repeatedly acts contrarily, colludes everywhere, attempts to restore his rule, ignorant of limits, ignorant of life and death…

In that case, I cannot be blamed…

Emperor Jing Sheng Di, upon saying this, let out a long sigh, as if having made a decision, and became calm.

Xia Shouzhong discerned the meaning in the emperor's words, and a few traces of anxiety appeared on his face,

and could not help but speak to advise:

"Your Majesty! We cannot be hasty now! Though the founding lineage's martial merit are mostly loyal to you!"

"Most border generals are also at your service! But the Jingnan Wuxun have largely been bought by the Dragon Head Palace!"

"These years, to keep that side at ease, Bashang Daying and the palace's Imperial Guard have placed many of their people!"

"At this moment, the court's situation is better static than moving; at least we need a few victories at the border passes to increase Your Majesty's prestige in court, to rally military and civilian hearts, before we can act against that side…"

"Otherwise, even if we win, it will greatly destabilize the court."

Xia Shouzhong, while watching the emperor's expression, carefully and cautiously laid out his points.

He controls the Imperial City Office, the intelligence agency that monitors the realm; few affairs escape his knowledge.

He is also the emperor's absolute confidant brought out from the hidden residence,

Given the gravity, he could not help but speak a few heartfelt words…

Emperor Jing Sheng Di, seeing Xia Shouzhong's cautious demeanor, couldn't help but laugh:

"You old fool! Who are you putting on this pitiful act for! Do I still not trust you!"

"I have never been unaware of what you say; otherwise I wouldn't have agreed to Li Long's aggressive strategy this time, but you have also seen the outcome!"

"Over in Liaodong, Niu Jizong and others are more than capable of defending, and although Yan Gengyao and Yue Zhongqi are valiant, winning a battle is not something that can be achieved in a short time!"

"Now the False Qing's national strength is rising daily, while our Da Han Empire's power wanes; we truly have no time to wait!"

"The founding lineage's martial merit were buried in Liaodong by that fool Zhu Zhen's battle; now within Shenjing city only the very old, the very young, and a group of palace women remain."

"The court has several times asked them to send their youths to the border passes for training, yet few responded; lacking the bravery of their ancestors, they are mostly a bunch of dandy boys raised in brothels, hard to expect any achievement…"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di sighed, feeling melancholy!

Back then, the founding lineage fought alongside the Retired Emperor on the battlefield, and the Retired Emperor's reckless actions led to a disastrous defeat.

The heads and elite youths of the founding lineage were mostly trapped to death by Retired Emperor Zhu Zhen, even forced to take the blame for his defeat, fostering much resentment.

Thus, after ascending the throne, Emperor Jing Sheng Di granted several benevolent marriages, winning the loyalty of the founding lineage's martial merit.

But at this time, the founding martial lineage is largely corrupt, with few usable talents,

Instead, they often cause disturbances in the capital, bringing the emperor many troubles!

Emperor Jing Sheng Di also resents their lack of ambition!

"Your Majesty, that's mistaken! Duke Cao was repeatedly recommended by the Retired Emperor, and with the Jingnan Wuxun advocating for him, you had no choice but to employ him! His defeat is also connected to you!"

"Moreover, although the founding lineage has had occasional setbacks in recent years, they are still the original meritorious founders who fought alongside the Great Ancestor; the Four Kings, Eight Dukes, and Twelve Marquises once wielded tremendous power in the army!"

"Even now, among the Da Han Empire's million border troops, many are their subordinates, and Jingying has long been held by the Jia Family and other founding martial families; they intermarry, share the same spirit, and remain very powerful."

"And in every household of ten families, there must be loyalty and trust."

"The founding lineage's Four Kings, Eight Dukes, Twelve Marquises have more than a thousand clan youths; over the years they have quietly developed, how could they lack talent!"

"Take the first-class Earl of the Duke of Zhen Guo, Niu Jizong, need not be mentioned; the first-class son of the Duke of Li Guo, Liu Fang; the current first-class son of the Duke of Xiu Guo, Hou Xiaokang, are also top military figures, all have guarded borders and earned merits."

"The Jia Family, head of the founding lineage, had an amusing incident a few days ago: the first-class general Jia She's son, Jia Jing…"

As he spoke, Xia Shouzhong vividly described the scene that occurred at Rong Qing Tang,

with every detail precise, as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di listened with great interest, and with a knowing smile said:

"This son surpasses his father! Jia She, that scoundrel, fled back from the Liaodong battlefield, disgracing the Jia Family."

"I didn't expect his son to be decent; not only skilled in martial arts, but also ambitious, strong‑willed, wishing to protect the nation and restore the ancestors' glory!"

"With such spirit and daring, he also outshines others! A fine example!"

"He must manage his household, I must govern the nation; both require first achieving some merit to win people's hearts!"

"If he truly can contribute to the court, I would not spare the rewards of dukes and marquises!"

Having said that, Emperor Jing Sheng Di pondered briefly and asked Xia Shouzhong:

"What position is the Jia Family seeking for him?"

"It is the rank of a regular eighth‑grade Benevolent and Brave Deputy Captain!" Xia Shouzhong answered.

"Regular eighth‑grade is a bit low; as the foremost martial family of the founding lineage, the Jia Family rarely produces a talent, and this would set an example for other founding martial families!"

He will be promoted two grades, appointed as a regular seventh‑grade Yangwei Colonel, granted a set of precious armor, and dispatched immediately to the Liaodong battlefield, to serve under Yan Gengyao's command, hoping he will display might on the field and not disappoint my expectations! Emperor Jing Sheng Di ordered resolutely.

"Your humble servant obeys!" Xia Shouzhong solemnly accepted the order.

…………

Dragon Head Palace,

The Retired Emperor Zhu Zhen was chatting with his trusted confidant Dai Quan.

Although the Retired Emperor Zhu Zhen is a few years older than Emperor Jing Sheng,

but his appearance is younger than Emperor Jing Sheng's; he is a slim man, though his waist and back are slightly bent, he cannot straighten up, and it is said that this ailment was left from his time in Liaodong during the northern hunt.

At this moment he was wielding brush and ink before the desk; since returning to the palace from Liaodong, the Retired Emperor has taken to calligraphy and painting, as well as rare flowers and strange stones, and his artistic accomplishment is quite high.

At this moment he was painting a piece titled 'Hibiscus and Brocade Chicken'; he seemed very satisfied with the brocade chicken, wings outstretched as if about to fly, beneath his brush, and he laughed while painting:

"What about the affair of Cao Guogong? What does the Qian Qing Gong side say?"