The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 97 Demanding Military Power from the Jia Family

Tu Chengyu knew about the two Jia families, whether from what he had seen in TV dramas in his previous life or what he had learned after arriving here.

He felt that the Jia family was a huge problem, and being on their side would be like being a complete liability.

Therefore, from the very beginning, Tu Chengyu tried his best to avoid getting entangled with the Jia family.

For this reason, he also ruined the Jia family's competition for the position of Crown Princess.

However, things in this world often don't go as planned; you might find yourself entangled in things you don't want to get involved in.

He helped the crown prince avoid trouble, but in the end, he got himself into trouble.

Not only did they get caught up in it, they became completely trapped.

Judging from the current situation, barring any major unforeseen events, he and the Jia family are now essentially in the same boat.

If Tu Chengyu doesn't want to be implicated by the Jia family and end up sinking with them.

They could either jump ship as soon as possible and get far away from the Jia family. But the emperor clearly disagreed with this option.

So all that's left is to try and save the Jia family, to prevent this sinking ship from sinking so soon.

However, Tu Chengyu felt that saving the Jia family was a very troublesome matter.

Because the Jia family was so corrupt, even in an environment where all the noble families in the capital were decadent, the Jia family was the most depraved and outstanding.

Think carefully about the Jia family members.

Grandmother Jia, the most senior member of the family, lacked foresight and was biased, yet she was able to influence both households by virtue of her seniority.

Then there's Jia Jing, who's supposedly the smartest in the Jia family, but he's just someone who hides in the shadows, spending his days plotting schemes and schemes.

Needless to say, the brothers Jia She and Jia Zheng were even worse. The elder brother had lost his ambition and spent his days indulging in pleasure and debauchery. The younger brother was pedantic and incompetent, only good at empty talk.

As for Jia Zhen, he was nothing but a menace.

A quick look around reveals that none of the older members of the Jia family are truly capable.

If Tu Chengyu wants to save the Jia family from collapse, he can't count on these old folks; he can only try to find a solution by working on the younger generation.

Characters like Jia Lian and Jia Rong, who have just come of age, can be given some training.

There are also two younger ones, Da Lianbao and Jia Huan, who can be trained in advance.

If even one of these men were to become successful, perhaps the Jia family could be saved.

Having figured this out, Tu Chengyu said to Xiao Xing'er:

"Go and fetch Jia Tanchun."

Xiao Xing'er accepted the order and went out, soon returning with Jia Tanchun.

When Tu Chengyu looked, she saw that her eyes were indeed red, but not as serious as Xiao Xing'er had said.

After Jia Tanchun entered, she curtsied and said, "This servant greets Your Highness."

When Tu Chengyu heard her change her self-reference, he asked, "Why are you referring to yourself as 'servant' today?"

Jia Tanchun calmly replied, "Your Highness, I am of humble origin, but I am given the title of Miss."

Judging from his tone, he harbors resentment towards the Jia family.

It's good that there's resentment; what Tu Chengyu hopes for is that Jia Tanchun and the Jia family will have a rift.

Tu Chengyu asked, "I heard that you were sad and cried because you didn't receive any gifts from your family?"

Jia Tanchun said, "This servant is not sad because of the gifts."

Tu Chengyu asked, "What's the reason?"

Jia Tanchun said, "This servant is heartbroken because I was deceived."

“Before I entered the palace, my sisters and cousins ​​had already prepared birthday gifts for me and promised to send them to me on the day of my birthday.”

"If I were to relay the message back, it would only be these things."

"But they stopped these things and said they hadn't prepared any gifts."

Tu Chengyu sensed that she was still upset because of the gift.

However, Tu Chengyu also understood that it was the first time a young girl had left her family and come to the palace, a place where people were devoured without spitting out their bones.

They must miss their family very much.

So when she heard that she could contact her family and receive gifts from them, she must have been very happy.

But when she waited expectantly and excitedly for a long time, only to receive a cold "no," she naturally couldn't accept it.

Tu Chengyu understood the little girl's thoughts but didn't know how to comfort her.

He called her over mainly because of the Jia family's affairs.

Tu Chengyu asked, "You said someone from the Jia family was stopping people from giving you gifts. Do you know who that person is?"

Jia Tanchun glanced at Tu Chengyu and said, "Your Highness, this servant does not know."

Tu Chengyu asked, "Is it that you don't know, or that you don't want to say?"

Jia Tanchun mustered her courage and said, "This servant truly does not know."

Tu Chengyu said, "I ask you, who is in charge of the household affairs in the Jia family?"

Jia Tanchun replied, "She is my mother."

Tu Chengyu thought for a moment and realized that the mother she was referring to must be Lady Wang. Then, considering the relationship between Lady Wang and Jia Tanchun, the answer became obvious.

Tu Chengyu said, "I understand. You may leave."

After Tan Chun left, Tu Chengyu said to Xiao Xing'er, "Call Xiao Xuanzi here."

Xiao Xing'er went out to call for someone, while Tu Chengyu picked up his pen in the study and wrote a letter.

A little while later, Xiao Xuanzi arrived, and Tu Chengyu said:
"Go to Ningguo Mansion in person and give this letter to Jia Jing."

After seeing Xiao Xuanzi off, Tu Chengyu sat in his study and thought for a while.

He got up and walked towards the Imperial Study once again.

The emperor was busy reviewing memorials when he heard that Tu Chengyu had come to see him again. He was surprised, but he immediately summoned him.

Upon entering the imperial study, the emperor asked, "Xiao Wu, what business do you have with me now?"

After bowing, Tu Chengyu said, "Father, I have a request." The emperor asked, "What is it?"

Tu Chengyu said, "It concerns Jia Rong of the Ningguo Mansion. A few days ago, Father Emperor asked me to help Jia Rong obtain a position as a Dragon Guard, but I was so busy that I forgot. I wonder if Father Emperor has made any arrangements?"

The emperor was speechless for a moment after hearing Tu Chengyu's words.

They dared to forget the emperor's instructions, and even dared to come and ask the emperor how things were arranged.

If he weren't my own son, I would have dragged him out and given him a beating long ago.

The emperor sighed and said, "I haven't made any arrangements either."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu said happily, "It's good that Father Emperor didn't make any arrangements."

The emperor asked curiously, "Judging from your appearance, have you found a job for Jia Rong?"

Tu Chengyu said, "Father, this is what I think."

"If we keep Jia Rong in the capital, whether we place him in the Imperial Guards before the Emperor Emeritus or in the Beijing Garrison."

"Given the Jia family's connections in the capital, Jia Rong will undoubtedly have people looking after him everywhere,"

"Therefore, I thought that this time when I leave the capital, I should also take Jia Rong with me, and see if he can still do his job after leaving the capital."

The emperor seemed to have seen through Tu Chengyu's thoughts when he heard his words.

He asked, "What are your plans for him?"

Tu Chengyu said, "Your Majesty, I would like to arrange for him to serve as a guard in the Crown Prince's residence."

The emperor asked in confusion, "Why are they being given the title of guards of the Crown Prince's residence?"

Tu Chengyu replied, "Father, apart from the Crown Prince's residence, I have no other place to arrange it."

Upon hearing this, the emperor realized that Tu Chengyu was indeed right.

Because Tu Chengyu has not yet left the palace and has not been assigned to a prince's residence, he does not have his own prince's residence guards.

If Tu Chengyu wanted to arrange someone, the only option was to send them to the Crown Prince's residence.

He thought for a moment and said, "Since you are going out of the capital on business, you can't do it without capable people."

"Here's what I'll do. I'll arrange guards for you in advance, so you can put Jia Rong among your guards."

Tu Chengyu said, "Father, I will be leaving the capital in a few days. Will it be too late to make arrangements now?"

The emperor said, "Just send a troop from the imperial camp."

The emperor's words suggest he has already made up his mind.

Tu Chengyu said, "Father, how many guards do you plan to arrange for me? I will be leaving the capital on business, so you can't arrange them like you would in the capital."

When the emperor heard Tu Chengyu taking the opportunity to ask for favors, he said:
"You can rest assured that in addition to the regular hundred guards of the Prince's Palace, I will also send two hundred soldiers from the Beijing Garrison to accompany you. Three hundred men should be enough for you."

When Tu Chengyu heard that his father had so easily granted his request, an even bolder idea suddenly came to his mind.

He chuckled, somewhat embarrassed, and said:

“Father, these men would be enough if they were in the capital, but I am going to Jiangnan, far from the capital, so three hundred men will not be enough.”

Upon hearing his words, the emperor said with a stern face, "What's wrong with Jiangnan? It's also under my jurisdiction. What are you, a prince, worried about?"

Tu Chengyu said, "Your subject is not worried. I am just taking precautions. Having more manpower will give me room to maneuver if something happens."

Upon hearing that Tu Chengyu still wanted more manpower, the emperor looked at Tu Chengyu suspiciously and said, "Did the Emperor Emeritus say something to you that makes you so worried?"

Tu Chengyu thought to himself that the Emperor Emeritus had indeed mentioned the formidable nature of the civil officials in Jiangnan, and Tu Chengyu was also worried that these civil officials would try to trip him up when he was doing his work.

But it was just a little worry, not fear at all.

Besides, when dealing with these civil officials, the number of troops is secondary; the key is to have sharp minds.

Tu Chengyu asked the emperor for more manpower not for any other reason, but mainly to satisfy his desire to lead troops.

Whether in his past life or this one, Tu Chengyu harbors a desire to command a million-strong army and wield immense power.

In his previous life, he was just an ordinary citizen who struggled to even lead himself, let alone command troops.

Although he became a prince in this life, he was still just an ordinary prince.

Normally, one would never have the opportunity to lead troops into battle in their entire life.

Therefore, the emperor just mentioned that he would mention sending guards from the Prince's Palace to him.

He thought that he might as well take this opportunity, while he was still young and the emperor and the crown prince were not too wary, to experience the thrill of leading troops.

While pondering his own ulterior motives, Tu Chengyu answered the emperor's question.

He said, "The Emperor Emeritus didn't say anything to me. I just felt that since it was my first time going out, I wanted to be on the safe side, so I wanted to bring more people with me just in case."

The emperor asked, "How many troops do you intend to ask me for?"

Tu Chengyu glanced at the emperor and cautiously asked, "How about a thousand men?"

The emperor sneered and said, "Do you know how much silver it costs to send a thousand men from the capital to Jiangnan?"

Tu Chengyu was genuinely unaware of this matter, and he honestly replied, "Your Majesty, I do not know."

The emperor said, "You don't even know this, yet you want to lead troops."

Hearing the emperor say this, Tu Chengyu felt hopeless and hung his head, not knowing how to reply.

However, to his surprise, the emperor then said:
"It would cost too much to transfer troops from the capital to Jiangnan with you."

"How about this, I'll give you a token to mobilize troops and write an imperial edict."

"You can freely mobilize up to a thousand men in the garrison of this Jiangnan prefecture."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu beamed with joy and quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

The emperor then said, "The matter of leading troops is not child's play; it must be approached with utmost caution."

Tu Chengyu took the emperor's reminder to heart.

Dear experts, I would like to ask for your advice on how to cultivate the younger generation of the Jia family.

Which one has more potential for development?

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(End of this chapter)