Chapter 164: Governor-General of the Three Borders and Four Towns' Military Affairs: Regulating the Nine Borders

Although Jia Jing's reorganization of the Jia Mansion yielded a total value exceeding 700,000 taels, the cash on hand is only 300,000 taels.

Jia Jing did not propose, like Jing Sheng Di, to donate the silver for military use.

First, Jia Jing knows that Jing Sheng Di's maneuver has a certain political show motive, and as a minister it is not proper for him to steal the spotlight.

Second, can donating to the military be the same as donating for the emperor's food, clothing, and expenses? Can the degree of concern for the emperor's dragon body be the same?

Third, if Jia Jing donates to the military, how will the ministers in the hall position themselves? Should they also donate?

Therefore, Jia Jing merely, with sincere and heartfelt intention, expressed that he is considering Jing Sheng Di's dragon body and wants to give Jing Sheng Di a "subsidy for food, clothing, and expenses."

This is a minister's heartfelt filial respect, with absolutely no flattery whatsoever.

In fact, he truly cares about Jing Sheng Di's health; such a diligent, decisive ruler must not die young!

On the other side, the ministers were all shocked by Jia Jing's words.

How could he utter such sycophantic words without a change of expression?

Wang Ziteng was stunned, what kind of skill is this, and he kept adding more?

The key point is that he did not detect any hint of flattery or saccharine tone in Jia Jing's expression or voice; instead there was an indescribable sincerity!

Just now his mind was still on court finances and peace talks, yet Jia Jing was already concerned about Jing Sheng Di's dragon body!

Is the gap between people really this huge?

What exactly is he thinking in his mind?

This is simply…

Xu Qianxue's face was full of disbelief, saying how could the character meaning 'treachery' be made up of 'woman' plus 'dry'!

The treacherous minister has clearly already stepped out!

You, Jia Jing, are it!

Niu Jizong felt he had learned a bit more about the way of being an official.

As for Zhang Tingyu and others, they all looked up at the boy in the bullfighting outfit, each gaze carrying a different significance.

Jing Sheng Di was rather moved, nodding, his gaze softened a few degrees.

Although he did not agree to accept Jia Jing's "filial respect", he still said in a gentle voice:

"My health is fine, you may rest assured."

Jia Jing said softly:

"Your Majesty is present, the heavens of the Da Han Empire are with us! How could the Da Han's rivers and mountains be separated from Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty bears the weight of the world and its people, and your diligent heart to govern, I know it deeply! Yet state affairs are complex and not a day's work; Your Majesty must still prioritize preserving the dragon body."

"In this northwest campaign, I will stake my life to clear the border calamities for Your Majesty! Bring a hundred years of peace to the Da Han in the northwest!"

"I only ask Your Majesty to cherish yourself, eat and retire on schedule each day, do not overexert, so that I have no worries behind me!"

Jing Sheng Di, hearing Jia Jing's sincere words, felt even more moved.

Looking again at Jia Jing's reverent, admiring, concerned gaze, he thought he truly was the loyal minister he had plucked from obscurity.

He cares about himself even more than others; each time the first thought is his own dragon body's health.

Jing Sheng Di nodded and said:

"I understand! You must also be extra careful on the battlefield…"

"I repeat, I will fully trust you, I will not let anyone hinder you, nor order you how to act, nor urge you to advance and win."

"Do not worry about money or provisions; I will resolve logistical issues in the court, whether you fight for two or three years, I will find a way to supply your military needs."

"I only hope you handle affairs earnestly, and display the Da Han's national and military might!"

The ministers below, hearing this, were even more shocked; the emperor trusted the young Jia Jing to such an extent?

The court clearly announced a shortage of money and provisions, yet said not to rush the advance, and that even a two‑ or three‑year fight would be supported?

And still told the young Jia Jing to be extra careful?

How can this imperial favor be so profound…

Zhang Tingyu's gray‑and‑white brows furrowed slightly, he gathered the memorial in his sleeve, his aged eyes bearing a weighty seriousness.

The Son of Heaven, because of the Liaodong battle and the Ba Shang troop reorganization, placed a trust in Jia Jing that few could match.

Earlier, he even displayed a poem he wrote about him in the West Warm Pavilion, informing the ministers, showing his inner regard and affection.

In this northwest campaign, if Jia Jing achieves a small victory or a small defeat, it's still fine.

If he scores a great victory, the emperor's favor will reach its peak, and no one in court could balance it thereafter!

Probably even us high‑ranking ministers would be three points inferior in favor.

One must know that previously the emperor consulted the balancing ministers…

When others still thought Jia Jing's chances low, Zhang Tingyu already envisioned a scenario where, after a great victory, no one in court could check him!

During this period, Zhang Tingyu carefully studied the military reports concerning Jia Jing from the Liaodong battle.

He had to admit that in terms of personal martial prowess and campaign conduct, Jia Jing is truly a prodigy; few in the Da Han Empire can surpass his martial achievements.

Thus, when Jing Sheng Di just now said he would make Jia Jing the commander in the northwest, he raised no objection.

In his view, even if the Northern Yuan, Hun Xie, and False Qing three sides surge, Jia Jing can still cope.

Not saying it will be a great victory like before, but maintaining a stalemate is entirely achievable.

The highest possibility is a small victory.

A great victory is possible, but very unlikely.

Because the steppe is dominated by cavalry, moving like the wind, hard to pursue.

Zhang Tingyu halted his inner thoughts, silently comforting himself:

I need not worry excessively; achieving a small victory is already difficult, a great victory is almost impossible.

As long as there is no great victory, I think after some time the emperor will be able to calmly view this ruler‑minister relationship.

Jia Jing, facing Emperor Jing Sheng Di's admonition, bowed respectfully performed a salute, and said solemnly:

"Your Majesty's words, I keep them firmly in mind."

Jia Jing gave no further promises; saying more now is less useful than a future victory report.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di also said nothing more; after looking over all the officials, he spoke in a deep voice:

"Now the military situation in the northwest is urgent; Bei Yuan and Hun Xie could invade at any moment, and may have already acted, but the court has not yet received military reports."

"Today's court decision is set; we must not delay the military opportunity."

"The cabinet will immediately draft an edict, to be issued tomorrow, ordering Pingliao General Nian Gengyao as Governor of Jiliao, commanding the Jizhou and Liaodong garrisons, to defend against the False Qing's invasion."

"Order Yue Zhongqi as Governor of Xuan Da, commanding the garrisons of Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi's three garrisons, to prevent Bei Yuan from advancing southward directly to threaten Shenjing."

"Order the Military Governor of Bashang Daying, Marquis Jingwu Jia Jing, as Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expedition, overseeing the military affairs of Shaanxi's three borders and four garrisons, leading the Bashang Daying to the northwest to engage the allied forces of Bei Yuan, Hun Xie, and False Qing."

"Also bestow the Shangfang Sword, to command the troops of the Nine Borders' various garrisons, and bear full responsibility for this northwest campaign."

"All civil and military officials of the garrisons shall follow his orders; those who disobey or perfunctorily fulfill duties may be executed first and reported later, with discretionary authority!"