Chapter 219

Cao Guogong

The founding lineage is ever stronger! While our Jingnan lineage is ever weaker, heh! What a Champion Marquis!

He took away my Ba Shang military authority, caused the deaths of Duke Cheng, Marquis Linchuan, Marquis Zhongqin and others, not to mention harming Ji An Marquis in the northwest.

Our Jingnan Wuxun has actually lost nearly half its strength in the hands of a mere child—utterly hateful!

Zhongqin Marquis

Zhao Guogong's face was gloomy with a hint of embarrassment; in the Jingnan Wuxun, it's not only Duke Cheng and others who have fallen into Jia Jing's hands.

He himself also vomited blood after being publicly scolded by Jia Jing in the Qian Qing Gong, and later was dismissed from office.

Now, seeing Jia Jing's power growing day by day and his fame ever greater, his heart is filled with fury mixed with a hint of panic and unease.

Senior Second-Rank Cavalry General

Civil Officials

The Prince of Yi, Zhu Zan, standing nearby, heard their words, made no judgment, and merely lightly stroked the folding fan in his hand.

His expression bore a hint of sigh, and he spoke in a low voice:

Jia Zi Jie is indeed a fine general! His talent in warfare is rare under heaven; this northwestern battle has brought a hundred years of peace to the frontiers of our Da Han Empire.

In terms of merit, even the former Huo Piaoji is inferior!

Xiongnu Tunhou King

King Han

He killed the King of Zhelan, beheaded the Marquis of Lu, captured the Prince of Hunye along with the Chancellor and Commandant, and obtained over eight thousand nine hundred heads.

King Louhou

King Zhelan

He annihilated over seventy thousand enemies, and captured the Xiongnu Tun Tou Wang, Han Wang and over eighty others below them.

In terms of merit, Huo Qubing ultimately failed to capture the Xiongnu Chanyu back then.

Ten Sages of the Martial Temple

General of the Cavalry

Yes! Nine battles, nine victories—what splendid military achievements!

Remember, the first victory report came in mid-February, when outside Yu Lin Cheng we crushed over fifty thousand Northern Yuan troops, beheading generals and capturing flags, annihilating over twenty thousand enemies.

He beheaded the Northern Yuan commander Tuo Tuo Bu Hua, captured the Northern Yuan Crown Prince Ba Ya'er, and for this feat was ennobled as Champion Marquis.

The second time was in late February, leading six thousand elite cavalry on a night raid of Wolf Mountain, in one battle overthrowing the Northern Yuan court and annihilating over ten thousand enemies.

He captured the Northern Yuan Khagan Batu Mongke and several dozen Northern Yuan nobles and ministers, seizing countless spoils.

Then he gathered over fifty thousand cavalry from the northwest and Ba Shang, and successively exterminated the Helan, Ejina, Dacaoatan, Qilian, Nieguochuan, Kerqin, and Chijin tribes.

Adding the present Qinghai Left Wing Force, in three months' time, with nine battles and nine victories, he utterly destroyed eight tribes of a steppe nation.

He annihilated over several hundred thousand enemies, captured several hundred thousand, pacified the grasslands, and his might shook the world!

Not to mention Huo Qubing; even Wei Qing and the Ten Sages of the Martial Temple, he could certainly measure up against them!

Northern Yuan Court

Nowadays people say, 'Kings are no match for Ba, generals no match for Li, martial prowess no match for Jia,' calling his martial courage the greatest of all ages……

Such brave, famous, and fine generals…… back then…… what a pity……

Langshan

These days, with each victory report coming from Jia Jing's side, his regret grows a little more.

Had it not been for that damned White Lotus Sect back then, he would have already won over Jia She.

Great Grass Beach Tribe

Moreover, with Jia Jing's support, the Retired Emperor's wish to regain the throne would be much easier.

And he himself has already restored his title as Duke Cao, holding an important post—how could he have ended up in such a miserable state!

Khorchin Tribe

Chijin Tribe

If his father Jia She were to intervene, Jia Jing would likely draw somewhat closer to the Retired Emperor, and in the future he might yet be able to win over one or two more.

Beside him, Zhao Guogong Xu Ding rested both hands on the table, his fingers unconsciously tapping the surface.

At this moment his expression was grim and resentful, the corners of his mouth turned down as he watched the lively scene outside the window, his heart feeling as if something were blocking it.

Xu Ding

Xiang Yu

However, the brave are taken by heaven—whether it's Huo Qubing, Xiang Yu, or Li Cunxiao, none of them lived long.

Especially Huo Qubing, who died of illness at twenty‑four! Who knows how many more years this little brat Jia Jing will live!

Having said that, the Duke of Zhao poured himself a cup of nectar wine, gulped it down, and continued:

I've heard that in recent days, censors from the Censorate have been impeaching little brat Jia Jing for holding too much military power, posing an unpredictable danger!

Upon hearing the Duke of Zhao's words, Prince Yi Zhu Zhu lightly laughed and replied:

This is the doing of those civil officials—Jia Zi Jie's rise has been too swift, winning battle after battle, commanding the northwestern army of over two hundred thousand, not to mention.

Moreover, he enjoys deep imperial favor; it is said the court already intends to grant him the title of First‑Class Duke and the rank of Senior Second‑Rank General of the Valiant Cavalry.

How could those civil officials rest easy with Jia Zi Jie, so young yet already at the pinnacle of ministerial rank? Even a few grand scholars in the cabinet probably wouldn't welcome having such an emperor‑favored warrior added to the court.

Since ancient times the struggle between civil and military officials has never ceased; thus, these days the senior councilors tacitly allow some censors to impeach him.

Their aim is not only to block Jia Zi Jie's promotion to First‑Class Duke and Valiant Cavalry General, but also to plant a thorn in the heart of the present ruler.

Prince Yi Zhu Zhu sees through these inner workings as clearly as observing fire, evidently also well versed in the court's political situation.

Moreover, from his expression one can see that he is quite pleased and approving of the censors' impeachment of Jia Jing.

Hearing the words, Duke Cao's eyes brightened, and in a deep, resonant voice he said:

"That's actually a good thing! If we can create a rift between Jia Jing and the one at Qian Qing Gong, then perhaps they could be used by the retired emperor later; it's a divide‑and‑conquer scheme!"

"Your Highness, should we also secretly have someone impeach and join forces with those civil officials to press down on Jia Jing?"

Prince Yi Zhu Chen frowned, glanced at Duke Cao, and thought to himself that indeed he was not a man capable of scheming.

He then abruptly spoke:

"Absolutely not! At this moment, Jia Zi Jie is distinguished by military merit and is favored by the emperor."

"If too many people impeach, it will instead raise doubts now, and if he discovers that we are pulling strings behind the scenes, it will only backfire, making him trust Jia Zi Jie even more."

"However…"

Prince Yi paused, then composed himself, his expression bearing a hint of profundity.