The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Chapter 40 Returning to Beijing
After the beginning of winter, the sky above the capital city was covered with gray clouds.

Unlike the weather in the capital, the people in the capital are in a relaxed and happy mood.

Yongding Gate was under martial law at the beginning of the hour of Wei. People entering the city were blocked outside, and people leaving the city were blocked inside. Everyone knew that the convoy escorting the Left Protector of the White Lotus Sect was about to enter the capital.

The people who were blocked inside and outside the city stayed there to watch the fun.

As there were too many people joining in the fun, the Infantry Commander's Office dispatched thousands of officers and soldiers to maintain order.

Both sides of Qianmen Street were already filled with people waiting to watch the excitement.

Bai Hongzhi, dressed in a brocade robe, walked into a restaurant with a sign that read "Youjian Restaurant".

The place was filled with drinkers and was noisy.

An elderly manager at the counter was sharp-eyed and immediately came out to greet him and led him directly to the second floor.

After a while, the window of a private room on the second floor facing the street was pushed open, and Bai Hongzhi sat down in front of the window seat: "I've eaten, bring a pot of tea."

Elderly steward: “Yes.”

Bai Hongzhi's gaze was already looking towards the direction of Yongding Gate.

After a while, the elderly steward came in holding a tray with a pot of tea and four plates of exquisite snacks placed down one by one, and then poured tea for Bai Hongzhi.

The old steward said softly, "Master Sun, there are a few people in the private room over there, and their behavior is very much like that of the brothers in the church."

Bai Hongzhi turned around and asked, "Oh? Who is so bold as to enter Beijing at this time?"

The old steward thought for a moment and said, "If I remember correctly, the master seemed to have said that the leader of the Qinglong Hall is the son of the Left Protector."

Bai Hongzhi was stunned.

The old steward paused and said, "Could it be that he wants to rob the execution ground?"

Bai Hongzhi came back to his senses and shook his head: "Even if the entire White Lotus Sect came, they would not dare to rob the execution ground."

The elderly steward also reacted and nodded.

Bai Hongzhi changed the subject: "How is the investigation going on with that matter?"

The old steward said, "I was just about to report to Master Sun that the third prince will hold a poetry gathering at his residence the day before the winter solstice. Anyone who is educated can attend the gathering."

Bai Hongzhi nodded. There were many powerful people in the capital. If one wanted to gain a firm foothold, one must have a backer. If one wanted to get promoted and make money, one must have a backer even more.

After arriving in the capital, in addition to taking over the restaurant, he also collected intelligence on various forces in the capital.

After careful consideration, he set his sights on the low-profile Third Prince.

Bai Hongzhi: "Go ahead."

The old steward said, “Yes.” and immediately left.

Bai Hongzhi picked up the tea and took a sip, then looked towards the direction of Yongdingmen.

It was also a private room with an open window. A figure in a black cloak stood by the window, staring towards the direction of Yongding Gate.

At this time, people downstairs shouted: "Come and see! Come and see! The Left Protector of the White Lotus Sect has been taken to Beijing!"

"I'm coming!"

The sound of heavy wheels was heard.

On the street, the crowd became agitated, and those in the back kept pushing forward. The officers and soldiers of the infantry battalion who were maintaining order held their rifles horizontally and tried desperately to hold back the surging crowd.

The dust from horse hooves was heard, and the horse and carriage team escorting the prisoner carriage arrived.

Riding on the front horse was the dusty eunuch in red from the Imperial Household Department, guarding him on both sides were the guards from the Imperial Household Department, and in the middle, on the prison cart sat the Left Protector, who was wearing prison clothes, handcuffs, and had his eyes closed.

Li Hu didn't want to be watched like a monkey, so he went into the palace from Guang'an Gate to report the emperor's order.

Just as the prison van approached the restaurant, the figure lifted the hood of his cloak. It was the leader of the Qinglong Hall who took the money and weapons and ran away.

He took off his black cloak, revealing the plain clothes underneath, then knelt down and said, "Father, I'll let him go down first and wait for you!" Then he kowtowed three times to the ground.

Someone shouted, "Hit him!"

People on both sides of the street threw rotten vegetable leaves, rotten eggs, etc. in their hands at Zuo Hufa in the prison van.

The crowd was indignant, and many people shouted:

"You are worse than pigs and dogs, you shall not die a good death!"

"This thing will end your family lineage!" "Pah!"

Half a year later, Li Hu walked into the Qianqing Palace again.

From a distance, Dai Quan was already standing on the stone steps outside the palace gate with a smile on his face, obviously waiting for Li Hu.

Li Hu quickened his pace, approached Dai Quan, and clasped his hands together: "Secretary."

Dai Quan smiled slightly, stretched out his hand and made a gesture of giving way: "The emperor is waiting for you. Please follow me." After that, he walked in first.

Li Hu hurriedly followed in.

As soon as he stepped into the study, Li Hu was stunned.

The imperial desk was piled with memorials, and only half of Emperor Yongchang's head was visible.

Dai Quan walked to the imperial desk and said softly, "Your Majesty, Li Hu is back."

Emperor Yongchang raised his head and saw Li Hu, who was still covered in dust.

Li Hu was wearing armor, kneeling on one knee, and saluted, "Your Highness, I, Li Hu, respectfully greet you!"

Emperor Yongchang showed a rare kind smile on his face: "Stand up." He then said to Dai Quan: "Bring a stool. From today on, when Li Hu comes to see me, he will be given a seat."

Dai Quan: “Yes.” He answered and moved a short stool from the compartment.

Li Hu had no choice but to kneel down: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." He kowtowed heavily again.

Emperor Yongchang waved his hand and said, "Sit down, sit down."

Li Hu: “Yes.” He answered and sat down on the edge of the short stool.

The eunuch on duty came in with tea.

Dai Quan personally handed the tea to Li Hu.

Li Hu stood up, bowed to Dai Quan, took the tea with both hands, and slowly sat back.

Emperor Yongchang watched Li Hu's reaction calmly, and said with a smile: "You have won consecutive victories in Guanzhong, and each time you defeated the larger force with a smaller one. You have won honor for me and the prince, and I will reward you with something else." Then he took out a piece of paper from the file and handed it to Dai Quan.

Dai Quan held the paper and handed it over.

Li Hu quickly stood up, took it with both hands, and was surprised when he looked at it.

This reward was so generous that in addition to gold, silver and jewelry, he was also given a large piece of land in the suburbs of Beijing.

Li Hu's heart skipped a beat. Is this really just a reward?!
Dai Quan gently reminded: "General Li, thank you."

Li Hu came back to his senses, said "yes", and made a gesture to kneel down.

Emperor Yongchang extended his hand and gave him a false support: "Forget it. You have suffered a lot in the front, and you have been exhausted again on your return to the capital. I will not have to pay you these false ceremonies."

If you believe the emperor's polite words, he will make a note of it in the little notebook in his heart.

Li Hu: "I thank your majesty for his grace."

Emperor Yongchang nodded with satisfaction: "Get up, get up and talk."

Li Hu: “Yes.”

Emperor Yongchang glanced at Dai Quan and motioned him to speak.

Dai Quan coughed and spoke: "Does General Li know about what happened in the capital?"

Li Hu seemed to understand. He glanced at the paper and replied, "I just returned to Beijing. I wonder what happened in Beijing?"

Dai Quan was slightly stunned. Just as he was about to speak, Emperor Yongchang spoke: "Okay. The Second Prince was also instigated by the villain, and he did not intentionally target you. He had some misunderstandings about you this time, but after my guidance, he has understood. He also admitted that he was reckless. After returning to Beijing, I will give you a banquet to apologize.

Those who want to accomplish great things need to have a broad mind. Don't let these things cause you to have grudges against me. I am doing this for your own good." He said, looking at Li Hu.

Li Hu was silent for a while, then replied, "As the Buddha said: You will reap what you sow, and everything has its cause and effect. I accept the names of 'Li the Barber' and 'Li the Butcher'."

Dai Quan glanced at the emperor and thought: He really refused.

Emperor Yongchang looked at him deeply and said calmly: "Go meet the Crown Prince."

"Yes." Li Hu bowed again, retreated to the door, turned around and strode out.

Emperor Yongchang shook his head and said, "Another stubborn guy." He picked up a memorial and read it with his head down.

(End of this chapter)