Chapter 166

Inside Qian Qing Gong,

Jia Jing bowed and performed the salute, speaking in a low voice:

"Subject, Jia Jing, courtesy name Jia Zi Jie, thank Your Majesty for bestowing the name!"

Jing Sheng Di helped him up, laughing:

"Zi Jie……once these two characters are spoken, they already bear the appearance of a great minister of the state."

Having said that, Jing Sheng Di then said to all the officials in the hall:

"Go ahead and arrange the troop deployment! Minister Chen, you oversee the Ministry of Revenue; the logistics and provisions for this northwestern war shall be entirely under your charge, ensuring the front lines need not worry about supplies."

"Minister Niu, you too shall go with General Jia to fight in the northwest; you may first mobilize the troops and horses of Bashang Daying."

"All others may retreat; I will further discuss with General Jia the specific marching plans for this northwestern war."

Chen Tingjing and Niu Jizong, among others, all clasped their hands and said:

"We subjects obey the decree!"

Meanwhile, Jia Jing continued to discuss with Jing Sheng Di the deployment for the northwestern war inside Qian Qing Gong.

Only after accompanying Jing Sheng Di through lunch did Jia Jing, under Xia Shouzhong's escort, walk toward the outside of the palace.

"Thank you for the trouble, Inner Minister, for seeing me off!"

Jia Jing's attitude toward Xia Shouzhong remained very courteous; no matter what, this Inner Minister beside Emperor Jing Sheng is not to be trifled with.

Especially since he is about to go out to lead troops, he needs even more to deepen his relationship with Xia Shouzhong and establish mutual interests.

Since ancient times, there have been far too many examples of generals leading troops abroad, establishing merit, while civil officials at court slander and accuse them.

He cannot help but take precautions, giving himself an extra safeguard.

Xia Shouzhong is the chief attendant beside Emperor Jing Sheng, also overseeing the Imperial City Directorate, and has served him since his time in the private residence; he is absolutely a trusted confidant of the emperor's confidant.

It is said that Emperor Jing Sheng once said in the palace: "If Shouzhong is in charge, I can sleep soundly."

Only with Xia Shouzhong on duty beside him can Emperor Jing Sheng sleep peacefully.

This shows the depth of his trust in Xia Shouzhong.

Xia Shouzhong's attitude toward Jia Jing is even more warm, tinged with closeness, for he knows full well how much weight Jia Jing holds in Emperor Jing Sheng's heart.

If one says that among the eunuchs, the one Emperor Jing Sheng trusts most is himself, then among the military officials of the court, there is no doubt that the one he trusts most now is Jia Jing.

Especially after just having witnessed and heard what transpired in Qian Qing Gong, he feels even greater respect for Jia Jing.

It's surprising that he could think of donating the 300,000 taels of silver seized from rectifying slaves as a filial offering to the emperor, never forgetting to attend to the emperor's dragon body.

This is far more thorough and far-reaching than what his personal attendant could have imagined.

No wonder the emperor places ever greater trust in him, even personally bestowing a name; who wouldn't like such a capable and loyal minister?

Xia Shouzhong's expression softened, and he replied with a smile:

"General Jingwu, you're being too polite! You're about to go to war for the country; it's only fitting for us to see you off."

"Your Majesty has been worried about the northwest lately; we only hope you can pacify the border troubles this time and return victorious."

Jia Jing laughed and clasped his hands, saying:

"I will exert my utmost effort, to relieve the emperor's worries, and to slay enemies and quell chaos for the Da Han Empire."

"By the way, Grand Secretary, don't forget to send someone later to fetch the silver from my place."

"You must attend to the emperor's food, clothing, and daily needs in the palace; do not let saving provisions for the northwest cause hardship to the emperor himself."

"Even if the troops outside have sufficient provisions, we would still feel uneasy."

"Moreover, I've noticed the emperor has grown noticeably thinner lately; Grand Secretary, please often advise him to cherish his dragon body and avoid overexertion."

Since Jia Jing said he would present the silver, he will naturally not go back on his word.

Although Emperor Jing Sheng did not explicitly agree just now, he wants to put this intention into practice as soon as possible.

Many things require not only pleasant words, but also thorough execution.

Xia Shouzhong's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this, and he sighed:

"If all the court officials were as mindful of the emperor's concerns as General Jingwu, our Da Han Empire would have nothing to fear in becoming strong soon!"

"General Jingwu, rest assured; attending to the emperor's dragon body is our duty, and we will certainly not fail."

Jia Jing nodded, and the two walked one after the other along the imperial way.

After leaving the inner city, they arrived at a secluded corner of a palace.

Jia Jing stopped, turned around, lowered his voice, and suddenly said:

"Grand Secretary, may I have a word with you in private?"

Xia Shouzhong's expression stiffened; seeing Jia Jing's solemn look, he sensed there was something else to say.

He felt a stir inside, and gestured for the few attendants following behind to step aside.

The two proceeded to a secluded spot.

Jia Jing did not rush to state his purpose, but instead said with a smile:

"Last time, thanks to your help, Grand Secretary, I was able to eliminate the grandson of that treacherous slave, Lai Shangrong."

While speaking, Jia Jing slipped a stack of freshly exchanged banknotes into Xia Shouzhong's sleeve.

Lai Shangrong had been arrested by the Imperial City Guard and thrown into Zhao Yu a few days ago; his corpse is likely cold by now.

Xia Shouzhong's expression shifted slightly as he furtively felt the thickness and texture of the banknotes,

relying on his familiar touch, he needed no glance to know.

He could tell each note was worth 100 taels, Hengyuan Money Shop banknotes, roughly amounting to no less than 5,000 taels of silver.

Xia Shouzhong's face broke into a smile, warmer than before, and he said:

"The Lai Shangrong matter was decided by the emperor himself; we merely passed along a few kind words—how could we deserve such generous thanks from General Jingwu..."

He indeed passed along those kind words; if he had not revealed the route Lai Shangrong took through the Longshou Palace, Emperor Jing Sheng would not have launched a strict and thorough investigation.

Of course! Besides the Lai Shangrong matter, we also need to thank the Inner Minister for looking after my elder sister in the palace all these years.

Jia Jing said meaningfully.

"The Marquis Jingwu's sister? Jia Female Historian?" Xia Shouzhong thought, then realized Jia Jing meant Jia Yuan Chun, and he felt doubtful.

Jia Yuan Chun is a female historian in the Empress's palace—when has he ever looked after her?

The Jia family's way of sending Yuan Chun into the palace before wasn't his doing either.

He could only say that after Jia Jing gained the emperor's favor, he never let his men bully Yuan Chun.

It's hardly care—if it were genuine care, Yuan Chun wouldn't have remained just a lowly female historian in the palace all these years.

Marquis Jingwu, are you suggesting I should look after Yuan Chun more from now on?

Xia Shouzhong thought silently, his face betraying nothing as he gave a faint smile and probed.

Lord Marquis, are you suggesting Jia Female Historian should be promoted?

Xia Shouzhong's integrity seems passable—once paid, he's ready to do something for Jia Jing.

Of course, that integrity also depends on the person.

If it were anyone else, even stuffing him with silver wouldn't get him to take it, let alone act.

Jia Jing shook his head:

Palace affairs are decided by the emperor—I dare not interfere arbitrarily.

Bringing up Yuan Chun, Jia Jing certainly doesn't mean to promote her in the palace or even make her a consort.

Even before, when Yuan Chun was still a commoner over two years ago, rumors of his promotion had been circulating in the palace.

But over these years, as he kept gaining rank and title, news from Yuan Chun's side has dwindled.

What's going on? Jia Jing naturally knows.