Red Mansion Taoist

Chapter 159 First Grade

In the East Palace, a young eunuch came to Emperor Jingwen, presented a piece of paper, and then bowed and left.

Emperor Jingwen read the contents on the paper. His expression remained motionless, but the hand holding the paper was pinched and turned white.

"Master!" Xia Shouzhong was very familiar with Emperor Jingwen, so he saw something was wrong and quickly brought tea.

"Let them all go out!" Emperor Jingwen took the tea, waved his hand and said.

Xia Shouzhong gestured around, and all the eunuchs and maids in the entire hall left.

Throughout Daqian, the person Emperor Jingwen trusted the most was Xia Shouzhong. There were some things he could not say to others and would only say them to Xia Shouzhong.

It was not to listen to Xia Shouzhong's opinion, but just to vent out the frustration in his heart.

"When Jia Qiang left the Daming Palace, the Supreme Emperor gave him the 'Ping Kou Sword'!" Emperor Jingwen handed the paper to Xia Shouzhong and said.

Due to the growth of power in his hands, he also placed an informant in the Daming Palace, and the information in his hand was sent by the informant.

"It's okay, he will return to Beijing to participate in the examination!" Emperor Jingwen waved his hand nonchalantly and said.

"Jia Qiang is good, but this is the Emperor's attempt to win over her!" Emperor Jingwen shook his head and said helplessly.

According to the news from the West Camp, Jia Qiang's ability in training soldiers is extremely strong. Such talents must not be recruited while the Supreme Emperor is still in good health.

Emperor Jingwen put himself in Jia Qiang's position. If the Supreme Emperor kept wooing her like this, he would not be able to guarantee his attitude.

As for Jia Qiang's return to Beijing a few years later, given the age of the Emperor, it's really impossible to say what the situation will be like at that time.

"Wang Ziteng hasn't gone to patrol the border yet, has he?" Emperor Jingwen asked.

There are so many good things in the hands of the Supreme Emperor. The Supreme Emperor can be said to be the richest person in Daqian.

"Write an imperial edict to make Jia Qiang the governor of nine provinces and patrol the borders on my behalf. Prince Teng is old, so let him be raised in the capital!" Emperor Jingwen ordered with a smile.

Xia Shouzhong took out the big seal, stamped it on the imperial edict, and then left the East Palace to summon a small eunuch to deliver the imperial edict to the Daming Palace.

Wang Ziteng is a member of the Supreme Emperor, and the Supreme Emperor has attracted Jia Qiang. If the Supreme Emperor were asked to choose between Wang Ziteng and Jia Qiang, who would he choose?
"Yes, Wang Ziteng will leave the capital after the new year!" Xia Shouzhong replied honestly before he understood what Emperor Jingwen was thinking.

Emperor Jingwen did not think that Jia Qiang would give up her official position of Zhengyipin and start over.

"Last time Jia Qiang went to see the Emperor, the Emperor gave him twelve dancers. Tell me what the Emperor wants to do?" Emperor Jing Wen continued to ask Xia Shouzhong while he was reading the contents on the paper.

He was proud in his heart. The imperial edict was to be sent to the Supreme Emperor, and it would only take effect if the Supreme Emperor agreed.

Today's affairs were over, and the imperial edict was urgently sent to him for review, which made him very strange.

"But this will affect Jia Qiang's examination!" Xia Shouzhong reminded.

"Master, please review the imperial edict sent from the East Palace!" Dai Quan held an imperial edict in his hand with a strange expression and whispered.

"Master, didn't you also give Jia Qiang two thousand armors?" Xia Shouzhong reminded.

Since his previous serious illness, he has invited many famous doctors to formulate maintenance methods for himself. The fact that his body has been able to maintain its current level in the past few years is entirely due to maintenance.

In the Daming Palace, the Supreme Emperor was sitting quietly on a chair. His eyes fell on the place where Jia Qiang was dancing the sword just now. It seemed that someone was still dancing the sword there.

Even the two thousand armors were all made after harvesting the silver that Jia Qiang brought back from Jiangnan.

"It's not the Chinese New Year, why would there be any sudden big events?" the Supreme Emperor asked with a slight frown.

The most important thing is that if this blocks Wang Ziteng's future, Emperor Jingwen still has a chance to compete for the position of Minister of War.

This was the best he could do, and it was risky to express his thoughts in front of Emperor Jingwen.

"Jia Hou is loyal to you!" Xia Shouzhong explained to Jia Qiang after reading the information.

Xia Shouzhong responded to the order and wrote the imperial edict. After writing it, he sent the imperial edict to Emperor Jingwen.

Even if Jia Qiang won the top prize, she would only be a sixth-rank civil servant. She would not be able to enter the power center of the civil service in more than ten years. And if she wanted to reach the third-rank civil servant, she would have to go to other provinces to practice for many years.

Emperor Jingwen's idea was the simplest. He could not let Jia Qiang join the Supreme Emperor.

Wang Ziteng was ordered to patrol the border, which meant that he wanted to be promoted. According to the arrangement of the Supreme Emperor, this Wang Ziteng was probably the candidate to take over as Minister of War in the future.

He is old, so the time for working every day is fixed, and the rest of the time is spent recuperating.

To be honest, if Jia Qiang can really become the governor of nine provinces, it really won't matter whether Jia Qiang takes part in the examination or not.

Emperor Jingwen also knew his habits and would not send the daily information and the imperial edict to be issued alone.

"It's an imperial decree to increase the rank of Jiahou!" Dai Quan replied softly.

Besides, if Jia Qiang is willing to take part in the examination, let her take part. If she really has a Jinshi background, when Emperor Jingwen takes real power, Jia Qiang can be transferred from a military attache to a civilian official.

And if the Supreme Emperor agrees to the imperial edict, then Jia Qiang will leave the capital, and he will not be able to stay in the capital for at least a few years, and the Supreme Emperor will not be able to win over him.

"Send it to Daming Palace immediately after sealing it!" Emperor Jingwen read the contents of the imperial edict, nodded with satisfaction and ordered.

"Master, what are your plans?" Xia Shouzhong asked carefully.

If the Supreme Emperor rejected the imperial edict, Emperor Jingwen would have someone pass the news to Jia Qiang. Then the Supreme Emperor would block Jia Qiang's promotion path, which would make Jia Qiang have a grudge against the Supreme Emperor.

Jia Qiang is the most outstanding minister in his hands. He became a super-grade marquis at a young age and has made considerable military exploits.

"How can the rewards I can give you be compared to those of the Supreme Emperor!" Emperor Jingwen said in a deep voice.

The nine provinces are controlled by a first-grade military attache. However, this official position is temporary. However, with the status of a first-grade official, it is impossible to hold a low-level official position after returning.

Emperor Jingwen knew this very well. He had been thinking about how to suppress Wang Ziteng.

"Interesting, Jia Qiang just received a reward from me, and the East Palace knew about it and responded!" The Supreme Emperor smiled.

Dai Quan's whole body tensed up, and he knelt on the ground with a plop.

The other eunuchs and maids also knelt down, not even daring to express their anger.

"Check it and send it away!" the Supreme Emperor ordered calmly.

"Yes, Master!" Dai Quan lowered his head and responded.

He lowered his head, but looked around. The eunuchs and maids present were all suspects.

With his control over the Daming Palace, he would never let go as long as he launched an investigation.

The Supreme Emperor picked up the imperial edict. After reading the contents of the edict, he tapped the table with his finger and began to think.

The eunuchs and maids of the Daming Palace all left, and were taken away one by one as soon as they left the palace. Only the Supreme Emperor and Dai Quan were left in the entire Daming Palace.

"Jing Wen wants to control nine provinces for Jia Qiang. He should not regret giving such a high position of real power to Jia Qiang!" The Supreme Emperor shook his head and laughed. Regarding Jia Qiang's arrangement, the Emperor's original intention was to make her live a prosperous and wealthy life, and had no intention of letting Jia Qiang hold great power.

The 10,000 horses in Jia Qiang's hands now, in the eyes of the Supreme Emperor, can at most be regarded as giving Jia Qiang a little bit of self-protection.

But Emperor Jingwen wanted to make Jia Qiang the governor of nine provinces. This was a first-class military attaché. No matter how hard he suppressed her after he came back, he still needed a first-class military attaché.

Judging from the current importance Emperor Jingwen attaches to Jia Qiang, he may really let Jia Qiang have a large number of troops.

If Jia Qiang's identity was leaked, Emperor Jingwen would have created a formidable opponent for himself, who would be even more difficult to deal with than several of Emperor Jingwen's royal brothers.

The Supreme Emperor had no intention of revealing anything. He thought that even if something happened, he could completely solve it.

He didn't think about whether his life span could last until then. He was considered a saint among emperors, but arrogance was still inevitable.

"Take the imperial edict and stamp it with the seal!" the Supreme Emperor waved his hand and ordered.

Dai Quan was startled. He hesitated for a moment and said nothing. He took the seal and stamped it on the imperial edict.

When Jia Qiang returned home, the housekeeper Laoshuntou came quickly and helped lead the horse.

"Master, someone from Zhuangzi in Heishan Village in western Liaoning is here!" Lao Shuntou Guanjiahui reported.

"Please help Aunt You check the list and see if there are any differences from before!" Jia Qiang casually ordered.

He knew that the New Year's goods sent by Zhuangzi from Heishan Village in western Liaoning were mostly specialties from Northeast China.

Because Heishan Village in western Liaoning is too far away, the management there is still under the control of the original manager.

Only Youshi in the mansion has experience in this matter. Youshi was the wife of Ningguo Mansion in the past, so all these matters had to go through her hands.

"Listen to the master's arrangement!" Lao ShunTou, the housekeeper, nodded and said, "There are relatives coming from the Rongguo Mansion next door. It is the wife of the Jinling Xue family who brought her children into the Rongguo Mansion!"

"Come here so soon?" Jia Qiang nodded to show that she understood.

Although he has a good relationship with the Xue family, his status now is not the same as it was in Jiangnan.

In addition, Mrs. Xue was staying in Rongguo Mansion. He had made it clear that he had no contact with Rongguo Mansion, so how could he take the initiative to visit her.

Jia Qiang had no intention of asking more about these trivial matters. He walked towards the main hall.

The servants I saw on the road were very busy, making arrangements in the mansion.

This is Jia Qiang's first year living in Jiahou Mansion. With Jade and Youshi's hard work, and Jia Min's guidance, the lively atmosphere in the mansion is emerging.

"The master is back!" No matter how busy he is, Feicui will be waiting in front of the main hall when Jia Qiang comes back.

"The arrangements in the mansion are good, thank you for your hard work!" Jia Qiang praised with a smile.

"As long as the master likes it, will the house send out wedding money as usual during the Chinese New Year?" Feicui asked with a smile.

Originally, Jade could decide such small matters by herself, but she knew that she was not the mistress of Jiahou Mansion, and the future mistress, Lin Daiyu, was too young.

That's why she asked Jia Qiang for instructions, lest Jia Min think she was too fond of power.

If Jia Min thinks that she is assuming power, her life will be difficult when Lin Daiyu takes over the Jiahou Mansion.

"There is no shortage of money in the mansion. In the first year, we will pay double the usual amount. However, you and Lao Shuntou must manage the servants in the mansion well. If you find someone with unclean hands or feet, or someone using my name to go out, Anyone who shows off will be punished severely!" Jia Qiang thought for a while and replied.

Since the Jiahou Mansion was newly built, the dishonest servants of the Ningguo Mansion were all dismissed by the Royal Horse Superintendent.

The current slaves are quite honest, but the management of the slaves cannot be relaxed.

Just look at the Rongguo Mansion and you will know that every little thing that happens in the manor will spread quickly. In addition, he knows that the stewards in the manor are very greedy.

Of course, when it comes to the greed of slaves in the Rongguo Mansion, their masters take the lead in being greedy, and the slaves follow behind.

"Please don't worry, sir. Jade will definitely take care of the house for you!" Jade assured with a heavy nod.

"Is there anything else?" Jia Qiang asked again.

"Miss Lin is waiting for you. It seems she wants to discuss something with you!" Jade said with a chuckle.

"I'll go over after changing my clothes!" Jia Qiang said.

Feicui and Qin'er stepped forward, took off Jia Qiang's official robe and changed into regular clothes.

Jia Qiang then walked towards Tianxiang Tower. Now that the temperature is getting colder, the scenery of Huifang Garden is not as good as before, and it is a lonely scene.

"Brother Qiang is back from the palace, is there any trouble?" Jia Min asked with concern as soon as they met.

Jia Min is not a daughter of Lin Daiyu who is in purdah. She has been paying attention to things outside the house.

She knew about the confrontation between Xi Daying and Wang Ziteng, and Jia Qiang entered the palace today, which made her very worried.

"It's nothing. Both the Supreme Emperor and the Holy Emperor gave him a reward!" Jia Qiang said something to reassure Jia Min.

"That's good. You must be careful when doing things in Beijing. It will be better when your teacher comes back next year. Now there is no one to give you advice!" Jia Min patted her chest and said with a smile.

"Where's Sister Lin? I heard she's looking for me?" Jia Qiang looked at the room and found that Lin Daiyu was not there, so she couldn't help but ask.

"It's not because of the dry weather and cold weather these days. She has a cough and is resting in the room right now!" Jia Min shook her head and said.

"I'm going to see Sister Lin!" Jia Qiang said quickly.

"Go!" Jia Min smiled.

Jia Min is happy to see Jia Qiang's concern for Lin Daiyu.

The more he cares about Lin Daiyu, the more it shows that the relationship between the two is good.

"Xueyan, is your girl feeling better?" Jia Qiang came outside Lin Daiyu's room and asked hurriedly when she saw Xueyan coming out of it.

"There's nothing wrong with you, girl. It's just that the weather in the capital is very different from that in Yangzhou, so I'm not used to it!" Xue Yan bowed and saluted, and replied.

"But Brother Qiang is here!" Lin Daiyu's questioning voice came from the room.

"Hurry in, the lady is waiting impatiently!" Xue Yan said with a smile.

"Xue Yan, are you ashamed?" Lin Daiyu heard Xue Yan's teasing in the room and couldn't help but said angrily.

Jia Qiang entered the room with a smile and saw Lin Daiyu lying on the bed with a book in her hand.

He stepped forward and cast a 'Healing Technique [Advanced]' on Lin Daiyu first, and felt relieved when he saw Lin Daiyu's health bar.

Judging from the blood bar, Lin Daiyu's body was not seriously injured.

(End of this chapter)