Chapter 286: Is the Emperor driving the carriage?

What is even more gratifying,

He treated Zi Jie with sincerity, and Zi Jie did not disappoint him.

Not only did he win battle after battle, pacify the northwest, and now he can win without arrogance, free of any overbearing heart—truly he is the capable minister I hoped for!

Jing Sheng Di stood stunned in place for a moment, then slowly gathered his excited feelings, and loudly addressed the troops behind him:

"Officers and soldiers, you have worked hard! Please stand at ease!"

Afterward, he personally walked up to Jia Jing, bent down, placed both hands on Jia Jing's arms, and helped him up.

Jing Sheng Di stared at Jia Jing's face without blinking; after a while, he spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Zi Jie has lost weight!"

Although only four short words, they shook Jia Jing's heart.

Jia Jing raised his head, looking at Jing Sheng Di's gaunt face, sunken eyes, and the newly white hair at his temples, and spoke with a choked voice:

"I am fine! It is Your Majesty who has truly lost weight from laboring for state affairs!"

The two held hands, mutually examining each other; clearly full of longing, yet for a moment they did not know what to say.

This scene of sovereign and minister meeting, gazing at each other in silence, directly caused the surrounding civil and military officials and clan members to frown tightly, the fire of jealousy and hatred in their hearts blazing fiercely!

Jing Sheng Di had always been solemn and dignified before them; when had he ever shown his true feelings so plainly!

Especially Kong Ying and Xu Zhuo, who had just experienced Jing Sheng Di's thunderous might a few days ago, were extremely indignant:

Toward us loyal ministers who dare to speak frankly, he either roars or rages; yet toward Jia Jing, this powerful minister, he shows kindness and affection!

Such a great contrast between these two faces truly chills the hearts of us loyal ministers serving the state!

The court has treacherous ministers who bewilder the emperor's heart!

Jia Jing held Jing Sheng Di's hand, gently using skillful strength to support his body; seeing the reddening at the corners of his eyes, he hastily spoke respectfully:

"Your Majesty! The officers and soldiers who achieved great merit in this northwest campaign have all returned to the capital with me; may I have you review them?"

Jing Sheng Di this time brought out officials to welcome him, naturally not merely to receive Jia Jing alone.

To comfort the meritorious soldiers and unite the army's morale is also one of his important purposes.

Upon hearing this, Jing Sheng Di composed his emotions, nodded, and smiled:

"The soldiers have shed blood on the battlefield, building merit for the state; I shall personally inspect the troops and comfort the three armies! Zi Jie, please lead the way!"

Immediately,

The two then led the civil and military officials at a leisurely pace along the imperial road to the place where the victorious troops were stationed.

Jing Sheng Di sighed as he walked:

"Zi Jie, this battle you have pacified the grasslands and defeated three states, achieving such remarkable results—I never imagined it!"

Having said that, Jing Sheng Di seemed to recall something, his gaze warm, and continued:

"Right! A few days ago, Liaodong sent a victory report."

"Qin Qiong led thirty thousand cavalry to crush the False Qing's Chuer Dan's sixty-thousand-strong army, slaying over ten thousand enemies, and the False Qing side has already agreed to our peace terms!"

"Zi Jie, you not only have the ability to discern people, but also win every battle; this time our Da Han Empire can greatly exalt its prestige—all thanks to your merit!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing's expression became solemn, and he replied in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty has selected and trusted me, increasing your favor; your kindness is as deep as the sea—how could I not repay it with my life!"

"I seek no merit; I only wish that my lord and father would worry less about state affairs and take better care of his imperial body—then I would be content!"

Jia Jing deliberately changed his address to Jing Sheng Di from 'Your Majesty' to 'lord and father' in that last sentence!

What is meant by 'lord and father'?

Like a lord, like a father! Grace as if reborn!

Hearing Jia Jing's sincere and heartfelt words, Jing Sheng Di could not help but nod!

"Zi Jie hasn't changed at all—utterly loyal! His greatest concern is always my imperial body!"

And behind them, persons such as the Crown Prince Zhu Yunbiao were seeing Jia Jing for the first time.

Seeing him return victorious, his military achievements at their peak, yet he displays no arrogance, showing such respect—this loyalty is truly exemplary!

No wonder the father emperor values him so highly, regarding him as his own right arm!

I hear he is also a filial son!

The ancients said a loyal minister must come from a filial son—this saying is absolutely correct!

Chen Tingjing and other cabinet ministers, however, had complex expressions, filled with inexplicable emotion!

They had seen Jia Jing angrily denounce Duke Zhao, Xu Qianxue, and others in court; thus they knew Jia Jing was not the harmless facade he presented, but wholly sincere!

This Confucian‑like demeanor and 'sweet words' are still the familiar taste they know—truly unchanged!

Beneath Zhang Tingyu's gray‑white eyebrows, his aged eyes held a hint of doubtful uncertainty!

The last time Jia Jing returned to the capital after achieving merit in Liaodong, he was likewise respectful and cautious; back then he felt Jia Jing was 'great treason disguised as loyalty'!

But now Jia Jing holds command of Ba Shang and the northwest's several hundred thousand troops, wielding power that overwhelms the world, yet he can still be respectful and humble—this forces him to reassess Jia Jing!

After all, if he truly harbored treacherous schemes, he would surely show some sign of it; otherwise it would be too much to endure!

Zhang Tingyu furrowed his brows, many doubts rose in his heart, casting doubt on his earlier judgment!

Could it be that Zi Jie is truly consistent inside and out, a virtuous minister bearing the spirit of ancient sages

Have I misjudged the person?

Just as the officials' thoughts diverged, Jing Sheng Di and Jia Jing had already taken each other's hands and arrived before the victorious troops.

"Soldiers, His Majesty has personally come to see you!" Jia Jing's expression turned solemn as he loudly called out to the officers of the victorious troops.

"Stand firm! Let His Majesty see what kind of elite troops our northwest and Ba Shang Camp soldiers are!"

Upon hearing this, the twenty‑plus thousand soldiers instantly became excited; as the bugle sounded long, they all straightened up in unison.

You Shiyong and the other commanders led the way, followed by ten rows of distinguished iron cavalry warriors, holding banners that fluttered.

Next came the Mysterious Armor Elite Cavalry; the cavalry formed arrays on both wings, their momentum like a rainbow, banners fluttering, swords and spears like a forest.

Jing Sheng Di's face lit with excitement as he walked slowly into the formation.

Jia Jing positioned himself half a step behind and followed, whispering to Jing Sheng Di an explanation of the officers' merits and the battles they had fought.

Jing Sheng Di walked slowly, listened carefully, and watched carefully.

He examined the black armor and black horses of the Mysterious Armor Elite Cavalry, the warhorses and long sabers of the cavalry formation, and the glaives and long spears of the merit-earning sharp soldiers formation.

He saw that each soldier in the ten front ranks wore a wooden plaque at the waist, inscribed with their head‑taking exploits.

He saw the scars on their faces, the sword marks and arrow holes on their armor, and the fierce fire burning in their eyes.

"Good! Good! Good! Truly worthy of being my Da Han Empire's mighty and valiant army!"

Jing Sheng Di couldn't help but utter three "good"s, each ringing out loudly.

Jing Sheng Di walked back to the front of the formation, turned to face all the soldiers, his expression moved, and spoke loudly:

"Soldiers of the Da Han Empire… you have worked hard!"

Over twenty thousand soldiers knelt at once, the clatter of their armor like distant thunder rolling across the earth.

"Long live Your Majesty! Victory to the Da Han Empire!"

The shout traveled from the front ranks to the rear, from the rear to the very back, and from there to the end of the official road.

Twenty thousand people, twenty thousand throats, erupted in unison with the same sound—like thunder, like a tide, like mountains collapsing and earth splitting.

"All rise! I have prepared a welcome banquet for you; come back with me!"

After giving a few encouraging words to the triumphant soldiers, Jing Sheng Di took Jia Jing's hand and walked toward the prepared imperial carriage.

His expression betrayed an uncontainable excitement as he said:

"Zi Jie! In this battle your merit is unsurpassed; you may be called the foremost hero of the Da Han Empire! Come quickly into the palace with me, for today I will personally hold the whip and drive the carriage for you!"