Chapter 49: Supreme Commander of the Overlord

But the emperor Jing Sheng Di merely waved his hand in a nonchalant manner.

He instructed, "Attendants, the Duke of Zhao is aged and frail, his health is poor; quickly carry him back and have the imperial physician treat him!"

The ministers thought they had misheard!

What?

Aged and frail, health poor?

It was clearly a case of anger striking the heart from Jia Jing's scolding, spitting blood and fainting, yet the emperor turned it into a simple matter of being aged, frail, and ill!?

In truth, the emperor Jing Sheng Di felt rather pleased.

He had long been displeased with the incompetent, nation‑shaming like the Duke of Zhao; had the Grand Emperor not staunchly backed the Duke of Zhao to serve as Right Commander of the Five Military Governor's Office, the emperor Jing Sheng Di would have dismissed him long ago.

Such incompetent individuals, contributing not a single ounce to the court, yet secretly hold the high rank of duke and occupy important posts—it's a farce!

If it were not that, as emperor, he could not scold directly; he has often wanted to, like Jia Jing, vent his anger at the Duke of Zhao, even at the Grand Emperor!

Of course, in private before Xia Shouzhong he has also vented many times.

Earlier, when discussing Jia Jing's ennoblement to a marquisate, he had already harshly rebuked the Duke of Zhao!

He did not expect this senior minister, relying on the Grand Emperor's favor, to act so brazenly!

Knowing that Jia Jing is his trusted minister, he still repeatedly provoked and picked fights!

Regarding Jia Jing's stance that anyone who offends the dignity of the Da Han Empire must be punished, he fully agrees,

He was ready to voice approval, but the Duke of Zhao unexpectedly said something about youthful zeal being harmful and useless to the state!

Could it be that only those like him and the Grand Emperor, who are soft, surrender‑seeking bones, are considered beneficial to the nation?

It's simply nonsensical!

The emperor Jing Sheng Di was even too lazy to feign concern, and directly ordered the Duke of Zhao to be carried away.

This undoubtedly signaled his support for Jia Jing before the ministers.

After watching the Duke of Zhao being carried out of the hall, the emperor Jing Sheng Di waved his hand again, smiling, and said:

"Other ministers, withdraw as well! I will speak alone with Minister Jia; you need not stay!"

The other ministers naturally dared not object, bowing and saying, "We withdraw."

After Zhang Tingyu, Niu Jizong, and others exited the hall,

Jia Jing hurriedly pleaded guilt, saying, "My words were inappropriate and have caused trouble for Your Majesty!"

The emperor Jing Sheng Di looked at Jia Jing and smiled, saying:

"We need not observe these empty courtesies between ruler and minister! I still like the youthful vigor you showed just now. Formality is fine, but it always feels a bit distant."

"Young people must be spirited, daring to think and act; only such persons can cut a swath, achieve deeds, and not fear offending others!"

"You have not spent long with me, so you do not yet understand my temperament; some formality is inevitable."

"In time you will see, I too am a straightforward iron‑bony, tough man like you!"

Jia Jing felt a slight relaxation and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty is magnanimous and tolerant! Yet I cannot be unaware of propriety!"

"Your Majesty has shown me the favor of recognition; I only wish to pacify the four barbarians and assist Your Majesty in establishing a strong, prosperous Da Han Empire!"

The emperor Jing Sheng Di descended the imperial steps, came before Jia Jing, and softened his gaze a bit, saying:

"That statement is well put! My lifelong wish is to build the Da Han Empire into a strong nation! If we can achieve that, our ruler‑minister relationship will not have been in vain!"

Suddenly, the emperor Jing Sheng Di leisurely examined Jia Jing and said:

"Minister Jia, I ask you a question; can you answer truthfully?"

Jia Jing composed himself, cupped his hands, and said:

"Please, Your Majesty, inquire."

The emperor Jing Sheng Di fell silent for a moment, weighing his words, and asked:

"I heard in your recent questioning of the Duke of Zhao that you also seem rather dissatisfied with the Grand Emperor!"

Jia Jing: …

The current sovereign's discord with the Grand Emperor is known throughout court and realm!

Otherwise he would not have spoken those words directly!

After all, the Grand Emperor is not the emperor's father, but a brother who is almost beyond the five degrees of kinship,

there is little blood relation or affection; rather, he is a rival in the arena of power, which is why Jia Jing dares to speak bluntly!

He believes the emperor Jing Sheng Di can sense his stance, but some words are still unsuitable for a minister to speak outright.

Jia Jing fell silent for a moment, then spoke candidly:

"It is not that I am dissatisfied with the Grand Emperor; rather, there cannot be two suns, nor two sovereigns!"

"I simply think that since the Grand Emperor has retired to the Dragon‑Head Palace, he should enjoy his twilight years, cultivate himself, and not intervene in state affairs!"

"I still recall the year I went on campaign, when Duke Cao suffered a crushing defeat at Yongning Fortress, causing countless casualties among our troops and civilians; in the end, due to the Dragon‑Head Palace's intervention, it was said that although Duke Cao lacked ability, his heart was for the country, and ultimately…"

"In recent years, the Grand Emperor has frequently intervened in court affairs, allowing incompetent figures like the Duke of Zhao to usurp high positions."

"Thus, I think Your Majesty, being a wise sovereign, should make solitary, decisive judgments."

"Let the court's orders stem from a single ruler, so that all subjects know only one sovereign father! This would be advantageous to the country and its people."

By the end, Jia Jing's voice grew louder, for he was aligning with the emperor; there was nothing he could not utter.

Seeing Jia Jing speak so candidly, the emperor Jing Sheng Di's eyes, beneath his slack eyebrows, flickered a barely perceptible smile,

seeming very pleased with Jia Jing's answer, he nodded and said:

"You can speak so candidly to me, and I won't hide from you: I too am repeatedly dissatisfied with the Grand Emperor's meddling!"

"Now the court is beset by crises, precarious as a nest of eggs. The treasury is empty; border barbarians repeatedly raid, eyeing us like tigers; within the realm, either natural disasters or rebellions occur, never a moment of peace."

"To reverse the situation, I must issue New Policies, reforming the law to strengthen the empire."

But what about the retired emperor? He only cares about vying for power and profit, buying people's hearts, and repeatedly staging a covert counter‑play with me.

I can tolerate him, but the state of the nation cannot wait for him!

This summons back to the capital is to fully reclaim the military authority held by Jingnan Wuxun in Shenjing City, to clear obstacles for the nation's New Policies; only when the New Policies are fully implemented can we purge the bureaucracy, and the state will have taxes to fund disaster relief, war, and people's livelihoods.

I wonder, dear minister, could you lend me a helping hand? As ruler and minister as one, we shall bring everlasting peace to the Da Han Empire!

Jing Sheng Di grasped Jia Jing's hand, his eyes fixed on Jia Jing, full of expectation.

Jia Jing felt a slight tremor in his heart and looked toward Jing Sheng Di, saying:

As long as Your Majesty trusts this humble servant, I am willing to be shattered to pieces, to wrap my corpse in horsehide, and also to pacify the four barbarians for Your Majesty, to help Your Majesty reverse the Da Han's decline, and to establish an immortal foundation of everlasting peace!

Hearing Jia Jing's unhesitating answer, Jing Sheng Di smiled with satisfaction, realizing he had not misjudged anyone,

and immediately said:

Very well! After this campaign you are weary! Return home to rest a few days, then go to Bashang Daying to serve as a Military Governor! Thoroughly reorganize the troops there so they become elite soldiers and strong commanders.

However, the camp's discipline is lax and many are unfit for use; moreover, it is commanded by Jingnan Wuxun, who has always only obeyed the retired emperor's orders, so winning the people's hearts will not be easy.

The Military Governor of Bashang Daying was originally a third‑rank senior officer, commanding one hundred thousand troops of Ba Shang; this position truly carries great rank and authority.

Jing Sheng Di's willingness to appoint Jia Jing to this post truly treats him as a trusted senior minister!