Chapter 222: Emperor Jing Sheng Di: I

Inside the Qianqing Hall, Xia Shouzhong thought about Jia Jing's ennoblement and felt that leaving some leeway might be better.

By that simple logic, Emperor Jing Sheng Di, who has ruled for many years, should not be ignorant of it.

However, what Xia Shouzhong did not understand was.

Since Emperor Jing Sheng Di elevated Jia Jing to Champion Marquis and Third‑Rank General of the Western Expedition a little over two months ago, his attitude toward Jia Jing seems to have completely changed!

He became more trusting, more appreciative, and without any doubt.

Even, how should one put it?

Xia Shouzhong felt that Emperor Jing Sheng Di no longer regarded Jia Jing as an ordinary minister, but as a true unity of ruler and subject.

Without exaggeration, he trusted him a few points more than even his own close‑by imperial censor who has followed him from the hidden residence.

Xia Shouzhong has served Emperor Jing Sheng Di for many years and knows his temperament well; he is certain his feeling is not wrong.

In the past, although Emperor Jing Sheng Di also valued Jia Jing greatly, that was more respect for his ability and loyalty.

It was because Jia Jing, in the Liaodong battle, annihilated over a hundred thousand troops of the False Qing, which delighted Emperor Jing Sheng Di and made him see Jia Jing as a lifeline to rescue the declining Da Han Empire.

Even though he entrusted a large army, Emperor Jing Sheng Di may still harbor thoughts of balance and precaution.

After all, since ancient times, the more a ruler possesses great talent and vision, the more he is a master of suspicion.

Even if they outwardly display trust, their hearts inevitably hold other thoughts; this is the solitary ruler's nature.

But since granting Jia Jing the Champion Marquis title and the Third‑Rank General of the Western Expedition, Emperor Jing Sheng Di no longer merely respects his ability and loyalty.

Rather, he truly from the heart treats him as one of his own, as if… as he would feel toward a current imperial prince.

He even removed the secret agents of the Imperial City Office of the Jia Family!

Xia Shouzhong truly does not understand why Emperor Jing Sheng Di would have such a startling change!

What exactly happened that even his close inner minister does not know, leaves him genuinely puzzled.

And just as Xia Shouzhong furrowed his brows, his thoughts fluttering inside,

Emperor Jing Sheng Di had already tossed the memorial in his hand aside, picked up the tea cup on the desk, and took a sip.

A trace of contemplation appeared on his face, and in a deep voice he continued:

"It has been more than ten days since Zi Jie sent the triumphant report of a battle that annihilated five thousand cavalry of the Red Gold Tribe, and it has been such a long time that no memorial from the Northwest has arrived!"

"Last time Zi Jie mentioned in the military report that he would perform a sky‑worship on my behalf at Langjuxu Mountain; counting the days, a memorial should be arriving by now."

"It has been months since I have seen Zi Jie; I do miss him somewhat, and I wonder how he fares over in the Northwest!"

When the subject turned to Jia Jing, Emperor Jing Sheng Di's complexion visibly softened a few degrees, and his words carried a hint of pleasure.

Xia Shouzhong's face tightened at the words.

He could no longer recall which of the past few days this was the Emperor's nth time saying he missed Jia Jing; such a clingy, cannot‑let‑go feeling was something he had never seen in anyone else before.

One must know that Emperor Jing Sheng Di is usually extremely restrained emotionally, and even when he misses someone, he rarely says it outright.

But regarding Jia Jing, he not only inquires about his whereabouts daily, but has also expressed his missing feelings plainly many times!

Xia Shouzhong steadied his mind, stepped forward to refill Emperor Jing Sheng Di's tea, and said lightly with a smile:

"I estimate the memorial from the Champion Marquis should arrive soon; Your servant has already sent someone to the Ministry of Governance to wait, and as soon as the Champion Marquis's memorial is ready, it will be delivered immediately!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di said while sipping his tea:

"These past days, many officials have submitted memorials requesting that Zi Jie be ordered to return to the capital."

"They say the Northwest is pacified, and both False Qing and Hun Xie have already sent envoys to discuss peace; the Northwest war no longer needs to be continued!"

"Moreover, the court now faces endless internal troubles and lacks funds to continue supporting the Northwest campaign and troop reorganization! I see the Cabinet also shares this view."

"Da Ban, tell me, should we order Zi Jie to return to the capital?"

Xia Shouzhong showed a faint smile and said softly:

"Your servant knows nothing of such military‑state affairs! However, since Your Majesty is missing the Champion Marquis, recalling him is not out of the question!"

Xia Shouzhong does not express a reckless attitude toward court matters; he only considers the issue from Emperor Jing Sheng Di's concern.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di smiled at the words, then shook his head and said:

"How can matters of state be decided by my personal feelings, especially military affairs that directly affect countless lives and fortunes."

"The frontier troubles on the Northwest grasslands have been pacified, but the 200,000‑strong army stationed at the three borders and four towns in the Northwest still requires Zi Jie to reorganize it."

"And the two states False Qing and Hun Xie, how could we allow them to wage war at will or negotiate peace at will?"

"If this time we cannot present conditions that satisfy me, I am not prepared to let them go easily."

"Especially Hun Xie, who trespasses the border without cause; without a lesson, I fear they will not learn."

Emperor Jing Sheng Di's tone was full of confidence, showing no trace of the worry he once had when facing the three‑nation coalition.

Regarding Hun Xie and False Qing, he adopted a somewhat paternalistic 'father beating son' attitude, as if disciplining them would be a simple matter.

"However, I have indeed become a bit harsh in my thoughts toward Zi Jie."

"Furthermore, the various tribes of the steppe are coming to pay courtly visits one after another; I also wish to hold the Grand Temple captive‑offering ceremony after Zi Jie's triumphant return."

"Therefore, after he stays in the Northwest for a while longer and everything gets back on track, it would not be unreasonable to let Niu Jizong, Feng Tang and others oversee the reorganization of forces in the Northwest."

Emperor Jing Sheng Di's voice was gentle, evidently still hoping that Jia Jing would return to the capital.

Xia Shouzhong thought for a moment, about to say something.

At that moment, an internal monitor hurried into the hall from outside, knelt and saluted:

"Your Majesty! The Champion Marquis just sent a memorial via expedited delivery of six hundred li."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing Sheng Di's expression brightened, he set down the tea cup and said urgently:

"The memorial? Bring it to me quickly!"

Xia Shouzhong, standing nearby, saw the scene and a flash of envy crossed his eyes; this imperial favor truly made him green with jealousy!

In a moment, the memorial reached Emperor Jing Sheng Di's hand; besides the triumphant report adorned with a rooster feather, there was also a sealed missive placed in a secret box.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di first glanced at the triumphant report, then after focusing on it, let out a long sigh, smiled and said:

Zi Jie crushed the Qinghai Left Wing Division, beheading ten thousand and capturing Mai Li Gan Huang Tai Ji; at Langju Xu Mountain he erected an altar to sacrifice to Heaven, at Guyuan Mountain he set up an altar to sacrifice to Earth.

He sealed Langju Xu, inscribed stone at Mount Yanran, and his troops' spearheads reached the edge of the Hanhai; the grasslands' century-long border troubles were completely quelled, from then on the Tatars fled far away, and there was no royal court in the southern or northern deserts.

By this point, the northwestern battle could truly be said to have settled the dust.

Although Jing Sheng Di's tone held joy, he did not show much excitement.

The emotions that should have been released had already been released by Jing Sheng Di when he received the second northwest victory report, upon learning that the Northern Yuan court had collapsed and Batu Mengke had been captured.