Chapter 81: I Am Such a Man

At the same time, Jing Sheng Di's mind raced, contemplating how to deal with the trouble from Jingnan Wuxun and how to protect Jia Jing.

Although Jia Jing possessed the Imperial Sword, killing a second‑rank court marquis outright would inevitably provoke countless Jingnan Wuxun and censors to impeach him.

"Your Majesty! What should we do now? Lord Jingwu has slain Lord Linchuan and wounded and captured Lord Zhongqin and others. The Jingnan Wuxun have likely already learned of this and will not let it go peacefully!"

Xia Shouzhong's expression grew solemn, clearly feeling the matter was delicate; a mishandling could cause unrest in Shenjing.

The Jingnan Wuxun who wield military power are no pushover; provoke them and they'll dare to mobilize troops recklessly.

Hearing this, Jing Sheng Di frowned and shouted angrily:

"What if they get the news? I won't believe they dare to act lawlessly!"

"Lord Linchuan, Lord Zhongqin and the others have for years lived on empty stipends, drunk soldiers' blood, sold military supplies and grain, smuggled goods, and in Shenjing they have flaunted their military authority, breaking laws and discipline. I have not tolerated them for just a day or two!"

"Given their crimes, confiscating their families and exterminating their clan would not be excessive!"

"What am I afraid of? Let them come; I'll see what they can do!"

Jing Sheng Di's face was cold and hard; he recited the crimes of Lord Linchuan and others as if they were familiar, clearly having already investigated the Jingnan Wuxun.

"Your Majesty! That may be so, but this time a second‑rank court marquis was killed; if the Three Departments were to review and sentence, it would be straightforward."

"But Lord Jingwu killed him directly, which conflicts with court protocol; the Jingnan Wuxun will likely use this to attack Lord Jingwu."

"When the court is full of dissent, Lord Jingwu's position as Military Governor of Bashang Daying will be hard to keep, and the Bashang military authority may return to their hands."

Xia Shouzhong whispered an analysis of the situation to Jing Sheng Di.

Although Jing Sheng Di is an emperor, not everything can go according to his wishes.

After all, he is not an immediate emperor like Taizu or Chengzu, whose prestige is towering, who holds military power, whose words become law, and who reigns supreme.

In recent years Jing Sheng Di has gained some prestige and his throne is stable.

Yet in handling court affairs and military matters he still faces constraints from ministers and must consider popular sentiment; he cannot act arbitrarily.

Hearing Xia Shouzhong's words, Jing Sheng Di's face grew grim and his brows knit tightly.

He of course knows the situation Xia described could very well occur.

Given Lord Linchuan's status, without iron‑clad evidence or ten heinous crimes that could settle the matter at once, it is hard to execute him outright.

Originally, senior court Wuxun possessed iron‑clad certificates that could spare them death, and they could also mitigate punishment by exchanging titles for crimes.

Now that Jia Jing directly killed Lord Linchuan, it technically violates court regulations.

However, knowledge is knowledge; Jing Sheng Di cannot stand by while Jia Jing is attacked and blamed by the Jingnan Wuxun.

Not to mention the Bashang Daying military authority, which he is bound to seize; even Jia Jing is a trusted minister he cares deeply about,

and he had even tasked him with training a strong army to pacify the four barbarians and usher in a flourishing era!

This is a loyal and capable general he discovered himself; how could he be harmed?

Jing Sheng Di walked into the main hall, pacing back and forth, pondering how to handle the aftermath.

The purpose of recalling Jia Jing was to reclaim the Bashang military camp's authority, forge a strong army, and clear obstacles for the New Policies.

Now Jia Jing has acted without hesitation, killing Lord Linchuan outright; his actions were rash, but his loyalty is commendable.

Devoted wholly to the court and to sharing his lord's burdens, never considering his own gain or loss, such a minister he will of course

but now that Lord Linchuan is dead, the Jingnan Wuxun will certainly not be satisfied.

Jing Sheng Di thought for a moment, then coldly ordered:

"Grand Companion! Immediately command the Imperial City Office to closely monitor the Jingnan Wuxun's movements; at the first sign of abnormality, promptly apprehend them!"

"Also, send word to Niu Jizong to go to Jingying at once to take command, make preparations, and await my decree at any time!"

"I will not compromise this time! I will tell everyone that I am such a man, that this is my nature, that I am such an emperor; as long as the minister does not betray the ruler, the ruler will never betray the minister."

Jing Sheng Di's decree left Xia Shouzhong stunned; it was clearly

It seems this time the Sovereign is acting seriously!

Even if it requires force, the Bashang Daying's military authority and Lord Jingwu must be preserved!

Jia Jing truly holds a place in the emperor's heart; he must be kept close in the future!

Xia Shouzhong bowed and accepted the order, then cautiously asked:

"Should we send someone to inspect the Bashang Daying? If a sudden upheaval occurs, we might…"

Jing Sheng Di waved his hand and said:

"No need, I trust Minister Jia can handle it!"

……

"Bang!"

Inside the Five Military Governor's Office, a huge noise rang out, as if something had been heavily slammed onto the ground.

The current Right Military Governor of the Five Military Governor's Office is no longer Duke Zhao of the State, but Duke Cheng of the State, who is now secluding himself at home for reflection.

Within the Right Governor's office now are, besides Duke Cheng, Lord Yongjia Zhuzu, Lord Nanxiong Zhao Yong, and several other Jingnan Wuxun nobles.

Duke Cheng, his face flushed with anger, slammed the tea cup beside him onto the floor, his complexion ashen as he stared at the intelligence in his hand.

The commotion naturally drew the attention of several other Jingnan Wuxun, and Lord Yongjia Zhuzu stepped forward, smiling as he asked:

"What has made you so angry? Could it be that Liaodong has won another battle?"

The other Lords, including Lord Nanxiong, remained silent but turned their gaze toward Duke Cheng,

Duke Cheng is usually very composed; this outburst indicates something serious must have happened.

Duke Cheng said nothing, merely passing the intelligence to Lord Yongjia.

The few gathered around Lord Yongjia glanced at it, their faces changing dramatically, and shouted angrily:

"What a... Jia Jing, you little brat, courting death!"

The others erupted in fury, faces flushed red, as if ready to tear someone apart.

Lord Nanxiong, hot‑tempered, rose and stormed out, shouting fiercely:

I will mobilize troops; today we must kill the youngster Jia Jing to avenge Marquis Linchuan.

The report starkly read: Marquis Jingwu Jia Jing entered Bashang Daying, slew Marquis Linchuan, wounded Marquis Zhongqin, the Middle General, Colonels and dozens of others, and captured them all for interrogation!

But before Marquis Nanxiong could step out, a sudden shout rang from behind:

"Stop!"

Marquis Nanxiong halted, turned back, and shouted to the crowd:

"The youngster is so reckless! A few days ago he brazenly insulted Duke Zhao in the Qian Qing Gong, and now he actually dares to kill Marquis Linchuan—how overbearing!"

"Since when does the founding line have the gall to defecate on the head of my Jingnan line! If we don't strike back fiercely, how will my Jingnan Wuxun have any face to stand in Shenjing!"