What’s It Like to Become a Powerful Official in the Dream of the Red Chamber?

A great victory in the northern frontier. Jia Pan returns to the capital, gravely wounded. By then, Yuanchun has been named a consort, the Jia family is celebrating wildly, and construction of the Grand View Garden is about to begin. The countdown to the family’s downfall and extermination has already started. Jia Pan looks at the family’s prosperity, as dazzling as flowers embroidered on brocade and oil boiling over a fire. If you can’t keep your hands to yourselves, I’ll chop them off. If you can’t keep your mouths shut, I’ll shut them for you. Above, win the Emperor’s favor. Below, comfort the common people. Within the family, set its conduct straight.