Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 277: Someone is stealing the show with ill intentions

The Five Cities Military Department, all the censors are busy. After the snow yesterday, everyone was exhausted and all went to the streets to clean up the aftermath.

It didn't snow today, but everyone still went to work on time and didn't dare to slack off.

The reason for such hard work is simple: Jia Lian has returned to the capital. Let's put it this way: the Wucheng Bingmasi cares a lot whether Jia Lian is in the capital.

Fortunately, it is winter now, and the various powerful people who like to stir up trouble don't like to go out, and most of them stay at home during the winter. Some young second-generations are energetic, and the trouble they cause is also indoors. Fights on the streets have not happened for a long time.

"Have you heard? Lord Jia has been summoned to the palace!"

"This is not new at all. The news will be whether Ningyuan Hou can pass the grand court meeting tomorrow."

"I don't care whether Ningyuan Hou lives or dies. It's almost the New Year. Please don't let anything happen in the capital. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain to Lord Jia later."

The five imperial censors held a short meeting around the brazier early in the morning to determine the focus of recent work. The first day of the twelfth lunar month means that the Chinese New Year is coming soon. After a year of hard work and good results, they don't want to have a last-minute accident.

Ning Yuanhou, whose past was brought up, submitted three self-defense memorials in succession and has been reflecting on his mistakes at home for half a month.

Jia Lian could naturally choose not to attend the grand court meeting on the first day of the new year, but what could he do about it? Emperor Chenghui wanted to play hard to get, so he had no choice but to cooperate.

At three in the morning, Jia Lian got up, closed his eyes and opened his arms. Ping'er and Guixiang were busy helping him dress, while Xiangling held up his clothes and stood aside yawning. Jia Lian wanted to open his eyes, but his eyelids were weighed down.

I was almost helped to the washstand, and only when a warm towel was placed on my face did I feel like I was back to myself.

Looking at the listless Jia Lian, Ping'er and Guixiang were laughing secretly, which made Jia Lian so angry that he slapped each of them on the buttocks.

You guys were tired after taking turns last night. You can't blame me for this, it's my own stomach that's not doing well.

When he went out and stood in the corridor, a gust of cold wind blew into his neck, and Jia Lian woke up completely.

Wang Xifeng is not angry at all now. The baby in her belly is the biggest. If she gets angry and disturbs the fetus, it will be terrible.

When the baby is born, I'll show you how I'll deal with you two sluts.

After gulping down a bowl of hot noodle soup, Jia Lian wiped his face with a hot towel and put on his cloak. He said, "Let's go!" Wang Xifeng and her two concubines stood on the steps to see him off, "Sir, take care! (The road is slippery, be careful!)"

The only benefit of the cold weather is that it refreshes one's spirit. Jia Lian regretted going out on horseback. But he had to persevere. He completely completed his transition from a civil official to a civil official leading troops.

Hundreds of people arrived outside the palace gate, gathering in groups in the east and west. There were many lanterns, and with some loud shouting, the night market was ready. Unfortunately, this was not a night market, so no one dared to speak loudly, and everyone was whispering.

Jia Lian's appearance caused quite a stir, but no one took the initiative to come forward to greet him.

Jia Lian, who had dismounted, had no intention of approaching any of the people. He waved and bowed to the few people, and after being polite, he stood in a corner where no one was around and not out of the wind. There was nothing he could do, because all the good spots were taken by others.

The guards stood skillfully in a human wall to protect Jia Lian from the cold wind. Jia Lian, who was sitting on a small stool, took out a cigarette and lit it to wake himself up, making sure he didn't fall asleep and miss the report.

Today, Jia Lian’s role is mainly about being a decadent, quiet and handsome man.

Unexpectedly, someone was unwilling to let go. The deputy assistant Liang Daoyuan appeared and exchanged greetings with a group of officials who came forward to greet him. After polite greetings, he immediately saw Jia Lian in the corner and walked over immediately.

"Greetings to Mr. Liang!" Jia Lian was helpless. He couldn't be rude, could he? He was a combination of a superior and an elder.

"Why are you so listless? Young people should exercise moderation!" Liang Daoyuan said in a light tone. He was not taking advantage of this occasion to warn Jia Lian, but wanted to test him.

Jia Lian replied unhappily, "I do want to exercise some restraint! I've been away from home for half a year, and I owe too much to myself. Besides, I'm young and will recover quickly, so I don't need to worry about myself, Lord Liang."

Liang Daoyuan, who was criticized, was more confident. The person was still the same person, and the taste was still the same. There would probably be something interesting to watch at the morning court today. Liang Daoyuan did not have the qualifications to give Jia Lian instructions on what to do next. He smiled and turned away.

Guo Yan arrived shortly afterwards and saw Jia Lian hiding in a corner. He came over with a smile and said hello, "Young Master, why are you here alone?"

The former enemies have now become accomplices, so Jia Lian naturally cannot show off. He smiled and folded his hands: "Good morning, Lord! I am afraid of being disliked, so I won't go into the crowd."

Guo Yan had no intention of leaving. Instead, he took a vest and sat down next to Jia Lian, smoking and talking together.

"The reaction in Shandong was very strong, but Your Majesty suppressed it. After Prince Dongping took charge of Shandong, the situation has rarely improved. I never expected that when one problem was suppressed, another one would pop up. Old Sun was dug up by someone about the past at Xihua Gate. This is a strategy of repairing the plank road in the open while secretly crossing Chencang."

"I'm just a fifth-rank official, how can I care about all that. If it weren't for the court meeting on the first day of the new year, I wouldn't have come." As he spoke, Jia Lian yawned. Guo Yan was a little surprised, but not too surprised. After all, Jia Lian was slowly developing towards the military, and it was understandable that he didn't want to cause trouble.

Guo Yan knew very well that the emperor must not replace the governor of the nine cities, otherwise the emperor's prestige would suffer a heavy blow. After all, half a year had passed since the incident, and the emperor still couldn't handle it. What would the civil and military officials think? Just digging up the past could achieve the goal, that's it?

After hearing what Lao Guo said, Jia Lian realized that he was not qualified to participate in the core planning, so he just laughed it off.

Just when Guo Yan wanted to say something, the deputy cabinet minister Pan Jixun also arrived, and Lin Ruhai was with him. How did these two get together? Guo Yan obviously saw Jia Lian's surprise and whispered: "They are of the same age!" The same age here does not mean the same age, but the same Jinshi in the same subject.

When Lin Ruhai appeared, Jia Lian could no longer pretend to be dead, and hurried forward to greet him: "Greetings to the Governor!"

Lin Ruhai did not have the consciousness of being a superior: "You have been back for a few days, but you have not come to my house to visit? If you don't come, your aunt will come to grab you personally."

Jia Lian quickly explained, "I've been tossing and turning for half a year, and I haven't recovered since returning home. I was planning to go today, but unexpectedly I ran into the big court meeting. Tomorrow, tomorrow I will definitely go to kowtow and apologize to my aunt."

Pan Jixun on the side said with a smile: "Brother Lin, don't bully your subordinates by relying on your status as an elder. Lord Jia is also a member of the Ministry of Works. If the Censorate wants to monopolize Lord Jia, it must first ask the Ministry of Works."

Jia Lian quickly met Pan Jixun, the Minister of Works who was capable of building water conservancy projects, a practical man who deserved respect.

"Meet Lord Pan!" Jia Lian spoke in a high tone. Pan Jixun was very happy to hear that, but his reaction was very humble: "I am just the temporary assistant of the cabinet. I am not sure yet, so I don't dare to take the title of Lord."

Guo Yan watched from the side and thought to himself: If it weren't for that forced smile on your face, I would have believed it.

The officials not far away felt very strange when they looked at this group of people. Jia Lian was obviously the youngest, but he was standing in the center. It seemed that he was the center of these people.

In fact, this temporary small group cannot be underestimated. Jia Lian is not a big deal, but he now has military power. He was supposed to be a civil servant, but he unexpectedly led troops to fight. He also held the posts of the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, the Censorate, the Imperial Household Department, and the Cabinet, all with salaries. But no one has said that they will fire him from his previous position. The most powerful thing is the Cabinet post, which allows him to lead troops to fight directly without being responsible to the Ministry of War. It's outrageous!

Lin Ruhai, he must be so, Pan Jixun, he is already half a cabinet minister, Guo Yan, he is the current cabinet minister.

This combination is dazzling to your eyes, right?
What was even more eye-catching was the Cabinet Chief Minister Kong Zhao. The old man got off the sedan chair and faced a group of officials who surrounded him. After returning the greeting with a smile, he glanced around, saw the small group, and stepped forward with a smile.

"Greetings, Prime Minister Kong! How dare you condescend to me!" Jia Lian was very helpless, thinking that today was not a matter of not checking the almanac before going out, but a matter of being destined to be targeted. Kong Zhao smiled and returned the greetings one by one, and finally said to Jia Lian: "Your Excellency is the main contributor to the rapid quelling of the rebellion in Shandong and the restoration of the grain transport. I have come to thank you!"

[You old fool, are you trying to act out the Prime Minister's belly being able to carry a boat? Fine, I'll grant your wish. I'll just assume that you've forgotten my failed attempt to shoot him in the head with a teacup.]

"Prime Minister Kong, you are wrong. The first merit or not is a small matter. The big thing is that the grain is transported by sea, which greatly saves costs."

Isn't it just bickering, isn't it just exposing someone's shortcomings? I can do it!

Something unexpected happened, and Kong Zhao even smiled and nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, young people are formidable, keep up the spirit!"

Jia Lian was stunned for a moment. What happened today? Liang Daoyuan was not angry before, and Kong Zhao was not angry at all, and was quite happy!

Did I go to the wrong theater or get the wrong script?
After Kong Zhao smiled and folded his hands to say goodbye, Jia Lian fell silent. Lin Ruhai raised his hand and patted his shoulder and said, "Open the door!"

The palace gate opened, and a large number of ministers entered according to their ranks. Jia Lian was of a lower rank, so he naturally fell behind.

When standing guard in the main hall, a fifth-rank official like Jia Lian felt much safer when mixed in with the crowd.

When there are many people in the hall, the temperature in the harem rises and people feel sleepy.

Alas, there are no pillars around, so I can only stand and fish with my eyes closed.

Jia Lian temporarily put aside the kindness of the old men as he was not in the mood to do so.

Anyway, the principle is that those people have bad intentions.

Just when Jia Lian was half asleep and half awake, there was a sudden commotion and a fierce quarrel ahead.

Jia Lian suddenly came to his senses. Is there anything wrong? He tiptoed forward and looked. It seemed that Ningyuan Hou was forced to take off his hat!
This hat is not simple either. It is an official hat. Without the hat, you are nothing but an official.

Haha, Jia Lian understood everything in an instant. Love is waiting for me here?

That’s okay!

As Jia Lian shrank his neck and dodged backwards, a new wave of trouble arose.

"Your Majesty, if you don't dismiss the Ningyuan Marquis, I will resign!" Another official took off his hat. Jia Lian was startled and couldn't help but stand on tiptoe to look. Damn, this is Uncle Zhou. Is he crazy? What's your business?

But this was just the beginning. More and more officials stood up, took off their official hats, and followed Zhou Guojiu out of the line. They had only one purpose: Ningyuan Hou was guilty and must be punished. At least he could not continue to work as the commander of the Nine Gates.

To be honest, Jia Lian was so shocked that he could hardly believe his eyes. It was fine if others impeached Old Sun, but Uncle Zhou was the first to do so? This matter seemed a bit complicated, and the emperor had not given any relevant explanation before. Seeing that there were nearly a hundred people standing up, Jia Lian really did not expect that there would be such a big drama. Was this a desperate counterattack by the Fang family officials? Or was there another mystery?

Hey, Li Laosan, are you joining in the fun?
When he saw Li Heng standing out, Jia Lian rubbed his eyes. He had never seen Li Laosan outside the palace gate before.

"The Nine Gates Control is related to the safety of the capital. Does the emperor need your consent to appoint someone? What, are you trying to force the emperor to abdicate?"

Before the officials could object, Li Yuan stood up. It's not that Jia Lian had never seen him before, but he felt that the second prince looked much paler than before.

"Third brother, how can you talk like that? Marquis Ningyuan was in the wrong first. You are all ministers of the court. You should impeach him according to the rules. How can this be called forcing abdication?" Li Yuan came up to confront Li Heng, and Jia Lian understood what he saw.

RNM, the report the emperor showed me yesterday was an abridged version!
No wonder Liang Daoyuan and Kong Zhao were not angry today and encouraged themselves. No wonder Lin Ruhai saw nothing.

When it comes to hearts, no one is dirtier than these people.

No, what's going on with Li Yuan? Is it because his sense of crisis is so strong that he can't help but jump out to make his presence felt?
Openly, it was the two princes fighting, secretly, it was the two emperors fighting, and mixed in was a big fight between the little loyal prince and the Fang faction.

The key point of the struggle is actually the position of the Nine Gates Commander, which is too sensitive.

I have been away from the capital for nearly half a year and have not kept up with the news. It’s not that I haven’t kept up, it’s that I have fallen behind.

Speaking of Li Heng, he is also unreliable. If you have any problems, just tell me. Why do you do it yourself?

Emperor Chenghui, who was sitting on the dragon throne, was also having a headache. The sudden appearance of the two princes was not part of the plan.

This is someone who suddenly appears and steals the show!
"Second brother, third brother, both of you get out!" Emperor Chenghui made a decisive move. The two brothers glared at each other, then walked away from the hall. The quarrel between the brothers was brought under control in time.

What a shame, this play is so good.

Jia Lian thought secretly, today's scene was too unexpected, and it was not just the emperor's side that was disrupted, right?

The most important thing now is not Ningyuan Hou, but why Zhou Guojiu jumped out first, was it Li Yuan's instruction, or was it someone else's instigation. This pool of water is a bit muddy.

It's really refreshing to show this to everyone at the monthly court assembly.

It was worth getting up so early today.

In fact, it was not just Jia Lian who was surprised. Kong Zhao, Liang Daoyuan, Li Chi and others in the front row were also surprised. As the emperor's loyal lackey, why was Jia Lian so quiet today? This was unreasonable.
Not to mention that Emperor Chenghui had informed him of his intention to play hard to get, even if he hadn't, Jia Lian would not have stood up and shown off on this occasion. Jia Lian understood that small matters should be handled with a big meeting, and big matters with a small meeting.

After Emperor Chenghui dismissed the two princes, he stood up, raised his hand and pointed at the civil officials kneeling below and said, "This matter will be decided after discussion by the cabinet. You all can stand up."

(End of this chapter)