Chapter 165

When Jing Sheng Di issued this order, although the officials in the hall had already braced themselves mentally, they still couldn't help feeling a sudden jolt of shock.

General of the Western Expedition? Governor of Shaanxi overseeing the military affairs of the Three Borders and Four Garrisons?

Command the Nine Borders' troops? With the Imperial Sword, execute first, report later, act on discretion?

Concentrating all this power in one person, to say it is a power that overwhelms the court and society is no exaggeration.

First, change Jia Jing's own title of General of the Eastern Garrison to General of the Western Expedition; this is appropriate, both are third-rank posts, nothing special.

But being Governor of Shaanxi overseeing the Three Borders and Four Garrisons' military affairs, that authority is huge!

This is a non‑standing post created by the Da Han Empire to deal with the northwestern border crisis, also known as the Governor of the Three Borders.

It can command the troops of the four garrisons—Gansu, Ningxia, Yansui, and Guyuan—among which Yansui Garrison is where Yulin is located.

According to the Da Han Empire's troop distribution, Gansu Garrison has 40,000 from Ganzhou Wei, Ningxia Garrison has 25,000 from Ningxia Wei, Guyuan Garrison has nearly 60,000 border troops, and Yansui Garrison has 75,000 from Yulin Wei; together that totals 200,000 troops.

In other words, the single post of Governor of Shaanxi overseeing the Three Borders and Four Garrisons' military affairs controls the military authority of 200,000 border troops.

Moreover, the Bashang Daying must contribute at least half of its forces to accompany Jia Jing on the expedition.

Added together, this gives direct command of at least 250,000 troops.

With these 250,000 Da Han troops, facing the allied forces of the Hunye Three Kingdoms is more than sufficient.

Furthermore, with the Imperial Sword commanding the Nine Borders—execute first, report later, act on discretion—this is the utmost trust a monarch can place in a subject.

Since its founding, the Da Han Empire has had a system of separate defense and supervision: each of the Nine Border garrisons appoints a governor to manage it independently, and only in major wars does the imperial court coordinate uniformly.

This is also a check and balance to prevent officials from accumulating too much power.

But Jing Sheng Di directly gave Jia Jing the authority to command the Nine Borders.

In other words, as the commander‑in‑chief of this northwestern campaign, Jia Jing would, if a situation arose requiring coordination with Nian Gengyao and Yue Zhongqi,

he could, without first seeking the court's approval, directly order them to mobilize using the Imperial Sword.

Although the Hunye Three Kingdoms' forces are directed at the Western Four Garrisons—namely the areas Jia Jing oversees, Yulin, Ganzhou, and Suzhou,

but the situation changes constantly, and at any moment a cross‑regional battle may be needed; with the Imperial Sword's authority over the Nine Borders, Jia Jing can adapt flexibly and will not lose the initiative.

Naturally, the benefit of this is that Jia Jing's constraints are reduced and he gains great autonomy.

But concentrating such power in one person is too heavy!

One could say that, if Jia Jing harbored disloyal intentions, the troops under his command could overturn the Da Han Empire in an instant.

This is an unprecedented heavy authority for a subject since the founding of the Da Han Empire!

However, now the Northwest Three Kingdoms have sent several hundred thousand troops to invade; this campaign concerns the fate of the Da Han Empire and is indeed a grave moment rare since its founding.

Wang Ziteng and Xu Qianxue's faces darkened, their lips moved as if they wanted to speak but held back; instinctively they wanted to oppose Jing Sheng Di's "chaotic orders."

How could this be a subject's proper authority?

If Jia Jing harbored ill intentions, wouldn't the Da Han Empire be doomed?

Moreover, the authority to execute first and report later over the civil and military officials of the Nine Border garrisons is even greater than when Jia Jing first used the Imperial Sword to reorganize the Bashang Daying!

When rectifying Bashang Daying, killing the Prince of Linchuan still requires obtaining the evidence of his crimes! Otherwise it counts as an overreach killing!

But this time is different; this time it's wartime.

According to Da Han Empire law, the imperial sword during wartime truly has the authority to directly execute officials of the second rank, regardless of any Eight Deliberations or death-pardon privileges.

In other words, the martial meritorious officials and senior provincial commanders within the nine borders are all included within this authority of expediency!

If one fails to obey orders or interferes with military operations, they can first be executed with the imperial sword and then reported to the court, with no suspicion of overreach.

Such authority—how could it befit a subject?

But at this moment, Jing Sheng Di had already issued the decree in golden words, and Wang Ziteng and Xu Qianxue, even with thousands of words, could not speak.

During discussions, you may argue as you wish; this is the right of a subject to offer counsel.

But at this moment Jing Sheng Di has already made a decision, the imperial heart acts alone; further opposition or argument is tantamount to contempt for the imperial person and disrespect to the sovereign!

Zhang Tingyu's expression shifted slightly, his gaze grew a bit deeper, and he secretly sighed.

Indeed, the emperor's trust in Jia Jing surpasses that of ordinary people.

This places all hopes for the northwestern campaign upon Jia Jing, granting him maximal autonomy and removing any possible obstacles!

Although the emperor says he is not eager for victory, in fact he is already somewhat impatient!

Enough!

It is merely a temporary authority, as long as Jia Jing faces obstruction or cannot achieve swift victory on the front.

I expect the emperor will regain reason and composure, withdrawing his unrealistic expectations and this excessive authority.

Jia Jing also felt some shock at Jing Sheng Di's command; he had thought that merely being able to command the troops of the four western garrisons was already the limit.

Unexpectedly, Jing Sheng Di also granted him the heavy authority to command the nine borders and act with expediency.

It seems that when Jing Sheng Di previously told him to bear the weight of the state, he meant it without any reservation.

Jia Jing's countenance sank and grew solemn, his voice like metal and stone, he cupped his hands and said:

"Subject thanks the emperor for his trust; I will devote myself completely to pacifying the northwest for Your Majesty!"

Jing Sheng Di personally helped Jia Jing to his feet, patted his shoulder, and spoke in a sinking voice, word by word:

"I trust you!"

Having said that, Jing Sheng Di thought a moment, then returned to the imperial desk, took up a vermilion brush, spread out xuan paper, and wrote the two large characters: Zi Jie.

Jing Sheng Di lifted his eyes and spoke warmly to Jia Jing:

"You are already twenty-one; you ought to have a courtesy name. I have thought these past days and have chosen one for you."

"Jing is the luster of jade, the outward manifestation of inner virtue. I bestow upon you the courtesy name Jie; Jie is the great jade tablet, the form of jade, the external vessel taking shape."

"The Erya, Explanation of Implements says: "A jade tablet one chi two cun in size is called a jie." The Zhouli, Spring Official, Registrar of Auspicious Objects says: "The king holds the great jade tablet and grasps the auspicious jade tablet." This is the jade held by the Son of Heaven."

"I bestow this name upon you, hoping that you will harbor inner brilliance, wield great authority outwardly, hold the jade tablet for me, and hold the spear for the world!"

Jing Sheng Di's act of bestowing this name left the officials in the hall astonished; if the earlier grant of authority was the emperor's confidence in his subject, then this is even more so.

At that moment, bestowing a courtesy name was the elder's care for the younger.

The "honor" spoken of by civil officials is the Donghua Gate naming, passing the jinshi exam, and being called the emperor's protégé.

At that moment, Jia Jing was specially bestowed a courtesy name by Jing Sheng Di, an act regarded as an extremely close gesture, as if he were a son or nephew.

Wang Ziteng and the others had their envious eyes turn red.

Zhang Tingyu narrowed his eyes slightly and silently breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

The emperor's bestowing a courtesy name on Jia Jing was both a sign of closeness and, after all, a means of balancing power.

With such deep imperial favor, if Jia Jing were ungrateful and harbored ill intent, he would surely be despised by all under heaven.

However, this Jie name perhaps expects too much!

Light emanates from the vessel; the vessel shines because of the light.

The given name "Jing" and courtesy name "Jie" mean: inner virtue of radiant brilliance, outer form of a heavy vessel.

The name subtly embodies the Confucian ideal of "inner sage, outer king"—inner radiance, outer bearing of a great jade tablet; possessing both virtue and instrument, one can become the nation's pillar.

The emperor truly regards Jia Jing as a pillar minister of the Da Han Empire!