Chapter 204: Jia Rong: I Might Yet Be Able to Command Troops and Run the Mansion

Inside Ning'an Hall.

Jia Zhen felt a surge of heat thinking about his daughter-in-law Qin Shi; he was about to use the wine's vigor to be intimate with his two concubines, but being bedridden these past months had made him feel stifled and miserable!

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door, followed by a servant's report:

"Sir, Young Master Rong has arrived!"

Jia Zhen frowned slightly, stopped what he was doing, and straightened his robe.

He then waved his hand, telling Peifeng and Xieluan to retreat to the rooms behind the screen to prepare, and to come find them after he had seen Jia Rong.

The curtain was lifted, and Jia Rong, carrying a hint of alcohol, lowered his head and walked in.

He wore a blue silk robe, a warm cap on his head; upon entering he sniffed, then quickly glanced at Jia Zhen and the table littered with cups and dishes.

He then stepped forward a few paces, stood with hands clasped before the table, and said:

"Son pays his respects to you, Father!"

Jia Zhen gave a faint "hmm" and did not tell Jia Rong to sit.

He always put on a stern father's air before Jia Rong, and lazily asked:

"What's the purpose of that Wang Yi kid inviting you for drinks today?"

"His family has always been close to the western side, and they've been inviting you to banquets repeatedly these days, which is rather unusual."

Wang Yi is the eldest son of Wang Ziteng.

The Wang family's offspring are ordered by benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and fidelity; Wang Ren is the elder brother of Wang Xifeng, while Wang Yi and Wang Li are the sons of Wang Ziteng.

Upon hearing this, Jia Rong glanced up at Jia Zhen, his voice tinged with a bit of caution, and said softly:

"Father, it is… Yi Ge'er's goodwill."

"He told me that Lord Wang has recently been favored by the emperor, tasked with rectifying affairs at the Jingying, and asked whether I had any idea of going to the Jingying for some experience."

"He could speak to Lord Wang and secure a good post for me in the Jingying!"

Jia Zhen's brows twitched slightly upon hearing this; he pondered for a moment, then remained silent.

Seeing this, Jia Rong relaxed a little, his face showing earnestness, and continued:

"Yi Ge'er also said he could let me stay by Lord Wang's side to assist with miscellaneous tasks—neither arduous nor dangerous."

"Moreover… moreover, once this Jingying rectification is complete, Lord Wang is very likely to advance further and take the position of Grand Marshal of the Ministry of War."

"When rewards are distributed according to merit, I will at least obtain an actual post as a fifth‑grade commandant."

"I think… I'm no longer young, and staying cooped up at home all day is not a long‑term solution."

"Such a good opportunity is hard to come by, and the Wang family are old friends of our Jia family; if I can secure a proper post, then…"

Jia Rong's words carried a hint of excitement; he was clearly moved!

One must know that Jia Zhen's third‑rank general title is merely an empty fifth‑grade nobility; if he could become an actual fifth‑grade commandant with real authority…

…then perhaps he could turn the tables and no longer suffer his father's arbitrary beatings and scoldings!

Jia Rong thought this was an excellent opportunity!

It involves no danger, no hardship, and yet brings great benefit—this is practically a blessing from heaven!

He and Yi Ge'er had already agreed that he must speak well of him before his father; if the matter succeeded, he would treat Yi Ge'er to leisure at Fan Lou.

Jia Zhen listened, then lifted the wine cup on the table and took a sip.

He then let out a cold snort, squinting with his murky old eyes at Jia Rong; seeing his delighted expression, he cursed:

"You damned beast! You don't even realize you're being played like a monkey, yet you're here smugly pleased with yourself!"

"Haven't you heard that offering courtesy without cause means either treachery or theft?"

"With a brain like yours, still thinking about going out for training—you're likely to be sold off; how did I father such a brainless thing…"

Jia Rong was splattered with Jia Zhen's spittle on his face, not daring to wipe it off; the head he had just raised quickly lowered again, and he asked timidly, with a hint of incomprehension:

"Father, how can you say that? Yi Ge'er also means well!"

"Damn your mother's head! You damned beast, after a few ounces of cat urine you don't even know your own surname—pah!"

Jia Zhen flew into a rage, spat a mouthful of phlegm onto Jia Rong's face, then coldly laughed and said:

"What scheme could the Wang family possibly hide from me? Nothing more than taking a fancy to the ancestral ties of my Ning Guo Fu."

"My ancestor Dai Hua Gong once served as Military Governor of the Jingying; who in the Jingying doesn't give him some face? Those various camp commanders and veteran soldiers—how many families haven't received his favors?"

"His letting you take a post in the Jingying is merely to use my Ning Guo Fu's incense connections to handle dirty work!"

"What a fine calculation—borrowing the West Mansion's name isn't enough; he also wants to draw on my East Mansion's favors."

"The Wang family is good for nothing except cooking up these crooked schemes, clinging to my Jia family to suck blood!"

Jia Zhen also resented the Wang family's use of Jia family political resources to climb high, but he merely endured it silently because the Rong Guo Mansion is powerful.

At this point Jia Rong also understood the Wang family's intention; not bothering to wipe the phlegm from his face, he looked embarrassed and said, with a mix of flattery and reluctance:

"Father is still perceptive, seeing through the Wang family's scheme at a glance; that son… should I go reply to him?"

Jia Zhen frowned, stared at Jia Rong for a while, then suddenly said:

"Why bother replying? This ancestral favor is meant to be used! If we don't use it, the West Mansion lot will."

"But Wang Ziteng thinks he can dismiss my Ning Guo Fu with a petty fifth‑grade post—how naïve!"

"I will discuss this with Wang Ziteng; you need not worry—without a military rank, he dare not think of taking this advantage!"

Jia Zhen's meaning is simple: he will accept favors, but the Wang family must add… the stake!

"A military rank? Aren't military ranks not conferred by the court without military merit?"

Jia Rong's eyes lit up; if he could obtain a military rank, he might then be like the West Mansion's Third Uncle Jing.

"In the future, leading his personal troops, he would command the mansion; then who would dare not call him 'Lord of the Rank'? Even his father might not be able to match him."

Jia Zhen had no idea that Jia Rong's heart had already begun to harbor rebellious thoughts.

The reason he was willing to agree to this matter.

First, just as he said, the ancestral favor—if he doesn't use it, it will just be a free benefit for those people of Xi Fu. I heard that Wang Ziteng could get the assignment to straighten Jingying; that's just helping the second branch of Xi Fu.

Second, he heard that Wang Ziteng and Jia Jing were on bad terms, and they had several unpleasant quarrels.

The enemy's enemy is a friend; he bears a deep hatred for Jia Jing.

Although he doesn't dare openly oppose them, he is still quite willing to secretly cause Jia Jing some trouble.

Third, he also wants to send Jia Rong far away, so as not to disturb his affair with Qin Keqing.

Jia Zhen lifted his head, his face showing a bit of recklessness, and said loudly:

"Rules are dead, people are alive! Moreover, in Jingying it's not impossible to earn military merit; if you handle things well, even a viscount might still have a chance!"

"You just loafing around at home all day is indeed not acceptable! I originally planned to find the palace's Dai Neixiang to donate a fifth-rank Dragon Forbidden Guard for you, which would at least give you a title."

"But now that he can hold a real-power official post, it's naturally better than that empty title of Dragon Forbidden Guard."

"Let me see if I can find someone to pull strings for you, first get a sixth-rank actual post, then go to Jingying; later promotions will be easier."