Chapter 53: The Benevolent and Filial Person

In a uniform sound, two hundred cavalry reined in their horses together and slowly stopped before the Rong Guo Mansion gate.

The fierce, iron‑blooded aura of the personal guards, forged on the battlefield, shocked everyone in the Jia Mansion.

Most of them were pampered young masters who had never faced such an aura, and each turned pale.

Jia Jing led the way, clad in armor, wearing a bright silver lion helmet, clad in snowflake fish‑scale armor, holding a Longdan Bright Silver Spear, his bearing tall and imposing.

Although the Longdan Bright Silver Spear retained its name, its inner nature was completely different; Jia Jing ordered military craftsmen to reforge it, melting together the Longdan Bright Silver Spear, the Hegemon Spear, and the Heaven‑Painting Halberd, increasing its weight by over a hundred jin, making it sturdier and sharper, and visually striking.

When Jia Jing's horse hooves fell silent, Jia Lian led Jia Zhen and other Jia clansmen forward, all bowing in salute.

Welcome back victorious, Marquis!

Moreover, the Jia Mansion's matrons, stewards, and servants knelt on both sides, shouting in unison:

Welcome back victorious, Marquis!

Today's ceremony was personally arranged by Jia Mu and others, citing state rites over family rites, thus giving Jia Jing full face; they also hoped he would settle down after returning to the Jia Mansion.

Previously, servants of the Lai, Lin, and Shan families, even when seeing masters like Jia Rong and Jia Lian in the Jia Mansion, had to show some respect; today they had to kneel to welcome Jia Jing back to the Jia Mansion.

Naturally, Jia Jing's achievements also warranted such treatment.

Jia Jing dismounted and shouted loudly, "Everyone, rise!"

Jia Lian rose first, came to Jia Jing's side and said with a smile:

"Third brother, you've finally returned! The ancestors have been awaiting your return to the Jia Mansion since they woke this morning, waiting almost a day!"

"You haven't been home, and the ancestors were so anxious they barely ate lunch."

Jia Mu not eating lunch was naturally due to her worry that Jia Jing had made the Marquis of Zhao vomit blood from anger.

But in Jia Lian's telling, it became missing Jia Jing.

Jia Jing smiled faintly, not really believing it.

Although Jia Mu initially gave him an eighth‑rank official post, her attitude then was basically to drive this rambunctious grandson far away, not seeming like she would welcome his return.

However, Jia Mu had indeed bestowed kindness on him; the old lady might have been a bit biased, but she wasn't seriously wrong.

As long as she doesn't cause trouble when Jia Jing manages the household, he can still tolerate her.

Upon returning to the Jia Mansion, Jia Jing naturally wants to put the family in order, becoming the Jia family's sole political spokesman, which had long been planned.

Since the Jia family cannot be severed, it must not become his burden or drag.

Of course, not all of the Jia family, nor even the hundreds of the Jia clan, are good‑for‑nothings or bullies, or wealthy young masters like Jia Baoyu.

Take Jia Lian before us, for example; his private life may be a bit chaotic, but his interpersonal conduct is commendable.

No one is useless; it's just that often they are placed wrongly, preventing them from using their talents.

In such an ancient society, clan power should not be underestimated.

What one must do is select from among them those who can be cultivated, give them opportunities, add more training, so they can later become one's capable aides.

Naturally, the dregs among them must be firmly struck down and removed, lest a single rotten grain spoil the whole pot.

Managing a household is a meticulous task; Jia Jing now has ample confidence, so he need not rush and can arrange things step by step.

First unite all who can be united, consolidate one's base, then strike at a small faction.

This holds true both in the imperial court and within the Jia clan.

As for what the base is, naturally it consists of the Jia clan and those from the founding martial merits who have rallied to him, plus military authority.

Jia Zhen also stepped forward at this point and said:

"Third brother, this expedition, winning battle after battle, being ennobled and appointed a general, has truly increased our Jia family's divine might; as your elder brother I congratulate you again!"

Jia Zhen spoke congratulations with his mouth, but his face showed little smile.

He harbors little fondness for Jia Jing; first, their names clash, as Jia Jing's name is almost identical to his father Jia Jing's, sounding exactly the same apart from tone.

Whenever others called Jia Jing, it sounded like they were calling his father, and he disliked this name intensely.

Furthermore, he gets along well with Jia She, who has constantly spoken ill of Jia Jing to him, so his impression of Jia Jing is very poor.

Of course, he won't show this on the surface.

Other Jia clansmen also came forward at this time, wanting to say a few words and leave a good impression.

"Marquis, congratulations on your promotion! I am Jia Rui, currently helping in the clan school."

"Marquis, I am the son of the fourth madam of the west corridor, sending my greetings!"

"Marquis, I am Jia Hui, tending to the flowers and plants of the mansion!"

"Marquis……"

Jia Jing nodded to each in turn, then spoke loudly:

"Clansmen! Thank you all for coming to greet me today! Your sincere regards, I, Jing, accept them."

"Today it is already late; Jing still needs to go see the grandmother and father; after tomorrow's ancestral sacrifice, I will invite you all to a meal, at which time we can renew our clan bonds."

Jia Jing, having been ennobled and returned, must naturally first perform the ancestral sacrifice, to trace his roots and manifest filial piety.

Hearing Jia Jing say that after tomorrow's ancestral sacrifice he would treat everyone to a meal, the assembled Jia clansmen burst into applause.

"Good! See you tomorrow!"

"Marquis, go ahead and attend to your affairs; tomorrow I will surely raise a cup to you!"

"Marquis, don't forget me when there's a good assignment!"

"Marquis, tell us about the battlefield!"

……

Amidst the hubbub, the Jia clansmen gradually dispersed.

Jia Jing watched the Jia clansmen depart, then instructed Lin Zhixiao standing nearby:

"Steward Lin! Arrange for my personal guards to be settled properly—food, lodging, and accommodations must be adequate; they are the brothers who fought desperately with me on the battlefield, and they must not be neglected!"

Lin Zhixiao bowed slightly, delighted to receive the order.

There are so many stewards around, I never expected the Marquis to let me arrange the personal troops—this shows his trust in me.

Jia Jing indeed only takes notice of a few among the servants of the Jia Mansion, and Lin Zhixiao is one of them.

Lin Zhixiao and his wife are called deaf and mute; they speak and act cautiously in the mansion and still follow the rules closely.

"Third Brother, the ancestors have already arranged that large estate near the Li Xiang Courtyard and leading to North Street for you; some of the personal troops can reside in the compound, while the rest can live near North Street." Jia Lian said with a smile.

"Hmm, let's arrange it like that for now!" Jia Jing nodded.

Lin Zhixiao immediately led the personal troops and Zhu Que and others to go to North Street to settle.

At the gate of the Rong Guo Mansion, only the masters and servants of the Rong Ning Second Mansion remain.

Jia Lian's expression turned solemn at this moment, and he said sadly:

"Third Brother, come with me to see our father! He was attacked and is still seriously injured and unconscious in bed." Jia Lian said with a smile.

Jia Jing's expression changed, and he exclaimed in surprise:

"How could this happen? Communication had been fine not long ago—have they found out who did it?" Jia Lian and the others secretly sighed: the Elder Master had always been harsh toward Jia Jing, yet Jia Jing could repay hatred with virtue—truly a benevolent and filial person.

Seeing Jia Jing also show a look of grief and urgency, Jia Lian and the others secretly sighed: the Elder Master had always been harsh toward Jia Jing, yet Jia Jing could repay hatred with virtue—truly a benevolent and filial person.