Chapter 192: Jing Sheng Di: I Have Never Been Unable to Rout Kang Xi in Battle

Qian Qing Gong, inside the West Warm Pavilion.

Upon hearing the news of the great victory in the northwest, the empress Zhou Huang Hou beside Jing Sheng Di, with her graceful and beautiful jade‑like face, was momentarily stunned.

Her voice, surprised, sounded soft and delicate; in her flowing beautiful eyes she could not hide the astonishment, and she exclaimed in surprise:

"Won so quickly?"

Can Jia Jing and Jia Zi Jie really fight like this?

It must be said, Jia Jing's rapid victory report gave Zhou Huang Hou a slight shock.

"We have won! Not only won, but a great victory; in this battle we annihilated Northern Yuan commander Tuo Tuo Bu Hua, captured the Northern Yuan Crown Prince, and slaughtered countless enemies."

"It is one of the few great victories our Da Han Empire has achieved against Northern Yuan in recent years. Zi Jie truly gave me a surprise; I never, never expected it…"

Jing Sheng Di's complexion brightened, his expression became passionate, as if days of suppression were suddenly released.

Only before his wife, Empress Zhou Huang Hou, does he reveal his emotions so unabashedly.

The emperor's inner shock was no less than the empress's, because this victory report arrived far too quickly, completely beyond his expectation.

One must know that at this moment the twenty thousand cavalry from Bashang Daying were still en route to the northwest, supplies had left the capital only a few days ago, and the court today was still debating peace petitions.

Yet the front line had already reported victory!

What is called the swiftness of troops!

What is called the flag opening to victory!

Jing Sheng Di even felt that his reduction of palace staff and expenses might have been somewhat hasty!

Looking at this momentum, it seems little money or grain will be needed!

Even though the court's money and grain have not yet reached the northwest, the battle there is already over!

This is entirely possible!

Northern Yuan's massive defeat along this route, with Hun Xie and False Qing unable to support each other, leaves it in terror; whether they dare continue to invade Da Han Empire is now a question.

"This northwest battle now seems no longer worrisome! After this great defeat, Northern Yuan lacks the strength to invade our Da Han Empire in the short term."

"We only need Zi Jie to crush the False Qing and Hun Xie allied forces; the northwest can remain stable for at least five to ten years!"

"With this five- to ten-year buffer, I only need to focus on the court to reorganize the army, implement New Policies, rectify official conduct, and develop finances."

"What worry remains that we cannot strengthen the nation, resolve internal troubles, and revive Da Han! I will no longer fear dying without honor before the ancestors of Da Han!"

Jing Sheng Di's gaze drifted slightly.

Thinking of the post‑battle increase in his prestige and the revival of Da Han, his thoughts stirred.

Having sat on the throne for ten years, this is the first time he feels so close to becoming the reviving ruler.

Moreover, when Da Han's national strength grows and internal troubles are resolved in the future.

He has never lacked the ability to personally campaign against False Qing, to cut down Kang Xi in battle, to recover the lost lands of Liaodong, and truly achieve feats not inferior to those of Cheng Zu!

As for the founding achievements of Tai Zu, he does not yet dare to hope to match them.

Jing Sheng Di can imagine so freely because Jia Jing's rapid victory gave him confidence and assurance.

After reviewing today the many petitions for peace and the poorly implemented New Policies in Jiangnan, the sudden northwest victory report seemed especially precious, giving Jing Sheng Di a strong dose of encouragement!

Jing Sheng Di became increasingly convinced that he had chosen the right people and was glad his unwavering resolve for a war‑focused policy had never wavered.

At the same time, he grew more dismissive of the court's censors and officials who advocated peace.

These mediocre officials, even though the front line won, still submit memorials urging peace!

They are nothing but a bunch of wine‑bagged loafers, utterly incompetent!

Nearby, Xia Shouzhong, upon hearing the emperor say that Jia Jing defeated over fifty thousand Northern Yuan troops with two thousand men, was also startled.

He then glanced at Jing Sheng Di's expression, seeing only surprise and no other change, and hurriedly put on a smiling face,

stepping forward to congratulate:

"Your servant congratulates Your Majesty! Congratulations to our Da Han! This truly is a rare great victory."

"Since Cheng Zu, there has been no such great triumph over Northern Yuan. If the news spreads, the world will sing its praises!"

"From now on, Your Majesty's prestige will increase, the implementation of New Policies will face no resistance, and under Your wise leadership, our Da Han will rise to renewed strength!"

After Xia Shouzhong finished speaking, his expression paused; he recalled the matters Jia Jing had entrusted to him before the campaign.

Lately he had been busy with the Imperial City Office affairs, and the Yuan Chun matter had not yet been handled.

Now that Jia Jing is gaining more power, the tasks he assigned must be given greater attention; he will have someone handle them shortly!

Indeed! Not only must they be done, but done splendidly; this is a rare chance to deepen ties with the Marquis Jingwu.

Xia Shouzhong's words struck a chord, pleasing the emperor further, and he smiled:

"You old fool, you only know how to say pleasant things! However, this time you are right; after this northwest battle, I have no worries!"

"We should also set about implementing New Policies and reorganizing Jingying! And deal with those lawless officials and gentry in Jiangnan."

"This time I will thoroughly reform them, uproot them completely, and remove this tumor from the court!"

"Moreover, the Bashang Daying's reorganization has shown results; this time they managed to defeat over fifty thousand Northern Yuan with just two thousand."

"Although Zi Jie's bravery in cutting down generals and seizing flags was a primary factor, the dedication of our Da Han soldiers is also undeniable!"

"When I first inspected Bashang, I observed the camp's strict discipline, fit for great use! After this battle, it is evident that Bashang now boasts a hundred thousand elite troops."

Jing Sheng Di was full of confidence; with a hundred thousand elite troops, what fear could remain for him!

It has already been ten years of Jing Sheng, time waits for no one; the steps might as well be taken larger.

Empress Zhou Huang Hou, seeing the emperor's rare happiness, couldn't help extending her delicate, scallion‑like jade fingers.

She took the paper from Jing Sheng Di's hand, wanting to see exactly how the frontline report was written.

Jing Sheng Di did not object, merely folding the paper and covering the latter half that mentioned the Jin merchants.

He does not distrust the empress; it's just that the matter is of great importance and breadth, and the fewer who know, the better, keeping it secret.

Empress Zhou Huang Hou did not think further; she has never been one to intervene in state affairs.

If this incident hadn't happened right before her, she really wouldn't have been curious enough to look at this secret report.

She read the victory report section of the paper carefully, then smiled and said admiringly:

「This Zi Jie truly is a brave general, with extraordinary courage and insight, able to charge and slaughter among tens of thousands of troops, behead generals and seize flags, truly somewhat like those peerless mighty generals written in books! 」

「Heaven has bestowed this fine general upon Your Majesty; it can also be seen as intending to help Your Majesty strengthen our great Han Empire! 」

Jing Sheng Di's face showed a bit more smile, and he said:

「Zi Tong hasn't seen Zi Jie yet, has she? When he returns victorious to the capital this time, I will let you meet him. 」

「Zi Jie is not only a fine general; what's rarer is his wholehearted loyalty to me, which I greatly appreciate! 」

Empress Zhou Huang Hou nodded gently; Jia Jing has risen to power only recently, so she really hasn't had a chance to see him properly.

Next time we have a chance, we should bring Biao Er along to meet him as well.