Chapter 162

Inside Qian Qing Gong.

Jia Jing faced Wang Ziteng's angry stare, yet his expression remained unchanged, his gaze steadfast.

The Jia Mansion has now been basically reorganized; in the officialdom, the Jia Mansion will have only his voice.

Next come the four great families and the founding lineage's relatives and acquaintances; collect what should be collected, cut what should be cut, and must not be entangled by them to stand on the wrong side.

The Wang Family represented by Wang Ziteng is, without doubt, the one Jia Jing must cut off.

Wang Ziteng is overly selfish, of mediocre ability, cares only for his own future and not the nation's interests, and will sooner or later be despised by Jing Sheng Di.

Wang Ziteng, unaware of Jia Jing's thoughts, saw everyone in the hall looking at him and angrily demanded:

"Jia Jing, court deliberations are meant for everyone to voice opinions. What crime have I committed? How dare you act arrogantly here, rashly demanding the execution of a court official!"

Jia Jing didn't even look at him, and said coldly:

"You, Wang Ziteng, as Deputy Minister of War, have been entrusted by His Majesty with great military affairs, yet you think nothing of serving the nation, relieving His Majesty's worries, and spout endless talks of peace."

"Moreover, you have repeatedly cursed that Da Han Empire has little chance of victory; your words are all grandiose, but in your heart you have no real plan."

"You only know how to bow like a slave outwardly, insulting our nation's prestige and military strength; how could you not be beheaded to set an example to the world!"

Wang Ziteng:

"……"

When did I ever curse…

That I have no real plan?

I think you are the one truly sharp‑tongued, merely indulging in verbal agility!

After Jing Sheng Di sat high at the imperial desk, listening to Jia Jing's verbal sparring, a barely perceptible smile flickered at the corner of his eye.

His gaze fell on Jia Jing's upright, pine‑like figure, and he felt an indescribable sense of ease in his heart.

Almost every word Jia Jing said landed directly on his heart.

Jing Sheng Di has never entertained thoughts of peace; otherwise he wouldn't have started preparing for war over a month ago!

However, before each battle, the court is always filled with a current of peace talks and surrender.

The last time fighting False Qing it was like this, and this time fighting Hun Xie and Northern Yuan it is the same.

The difference is that last time he alone bore the pressure, pushed aside all opposition, and insisted on having Nian Gengyao and Yue Zhongqi lead the war against False Qing.

This time, with Jia Jing as his rapid vanguard, any words he couldn't say, Jia Jing shouted them out for him!

Especially regarding Xu Qianxue, that old party corrupt scholar, Jing Sheng Di has long harbored dissatisfaction, but due to his position, cannot directly condemn his hypocrisy and incompetence.

Great! It feels comfortable to have one's own people!

Jing Sheng Di, thinking this, his expression paused, glanced at Wang Ziteng and Xu Qianxue, and said in a deep voice:

"All esteemed ministers, calm yourselves, continue the discussion; today a decree must be made!"

At this moment, Xu Qianxue regained some vigor, stepped forward and said:

"Since Marquis Jingwu is resolutely pro‑war, it must be that he has confidence of victory."

"If the front‑line operations are weak, prolonged war becomes unwinnable, even losing cities and territory with heavy casualties, should that responsibility be placed on Marquis Jingwu?"

Jia Jing retorted coldly:

"Since Lord Xu is wholeheartedly advocating peace, if False Qing, Northern Yuan and other states act treacherously, tearing up treaties and taking up arms again…"

"…and even invade our lands, kill our people, causing Da Han Empire to miss the chance for war, losing power and humiliating the nation, should that responsibility be placed on you, Lord Xu?"

Unexpectedly, Xu Qianxue is not only a surrenderist corrupt scholar, but also a scheming, treacherous petty person.

Although Jia Jing is confident of victory in this battle, he cannot voice it now.

First, even if he said so, others would not believe him, only think Jia Jing is arrogant.

Second, if he claimed certainty of victory, then a win would be unsurprising, and a loss would add extra blame; what's the point?

He not only will not claim certainty, but will acknowledge the battle is hard, not easy, and risky.

If they win later, that would be Jia Jing not shying away from hardship, risking his life, having endured countless hardships to forge a chance of victory.

Of course, for ordinary generals this battle is inherently a hard fight!

He can shed blood for Da Han, but cannot let others hide his merits.

Xu Qianxue, upon hearing this, only snorted coldly without speaking, clearly aware in his heart that the barbarian factions might very well act treacherously.

Jia Jing again bowed to Jing Sheng Di and said in a deep voice:

"This battle is difficult, but just because it is difficult must we discuss peace and surrender?"

"The state has cultivated scholars for a hundred years; is that not to have us step forward in times of peril?"

"Since our nation was founded over a hundred years ago, False Qing and Northern Yuan have roamed and ravaged the borders of our Central Plains dynasty, slaughtering our people, plundering our youth, acting without restraint, which is especially hateful."

"They rely on having grown up on horseback, with superb riding skills, coming and going like the wind, treating the Central Plains as their backyard, coming when they wish and leaving when they wish."

"They have committed all evils, and their hands are stained with the blood debt of Da Han's people!"

"Da Han not only has an irreconcilable hatred for False Qing, but also a sea‑deep enmity with Northern Yuan! If the notion of peace spreads, the common people and soldiers on the northwestern frontier will be chilled to the bone, pain piercing their hearts!"

"As a national war hero, at this moment of enemy invasion, I have no other recourse but to embrace a resolve to die and fight them to the death!"

"The military situation is like fire; I urge Your Majesty to decide promptly, lest we miss the chance for war and be taken advantage of by False Qing and Northern Yuan!"

Jia Jing's words left everyone present momentarily stunned!

However, Xu Qianxue and Wang Ziteng did not step forward to refute him; they simply could not out‑curse him!

Jing Sheng Di also felt the timing was right; all discussions had been held, and it was time to make a decision.

He also feared that prolonged delay might cause changes on the northwestern front; his expression grew stern, and he said in a deep voice:

"I have already taken note of the ministers' discussions; since I ascended the throne, I have been vigilant from dawn to dusk, rising early and staying up late, and my sole wish is to revive Da Han within my lifetime!"

"These years I have worked diligently, daring not to slack; regarding the northwestern matter, the notion of peace is untenable!"

"The prestige of Da Han surpasses that of former ages; the founding emperor left this ancestral instruction: Da Han has no summer marriage alliances, no Tang‑era alliances, no Song‑era tribute of thin coins, nor brotherly gestures to enemy states; the Son of Heaven guards the nation's gates, and the king dies for the realm."

This is the foundation of our Da Han Empire's establishment, and also the blood spirit and backbone of our Han people! I deeply admire and respect it!

Therefore, when initially facing the False Qing's 150,000-strong army invading, I did not retreat a single step.

At that time, the court and populace were in an uproar, with widespread clamor, everyone saying that the False Qing's full ten thousand could not be resisted, and talk of peace and surrender was everywhere.

I withstood the pressure, made decisions alone, and ultimately defeated the enemy state; of course, in this, Jia Qing's contribution is the greatest...