The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Chapter 57 The Unlucky Jia Yucun 1
In the study, Beijing Prince Shui Rong was wearing a tight leather jacket and sitting by the brazier reading a book.

The old butler came in excitedly, greeted Shui Rong, and then took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Shui Rong: "Young Master, there is something interesting to watch!"

Shui Rong put the book on the coffee table beside him, and then took the piece of paper.

The old housekeeper said: "I really underestimated Wang Ziteng. He is scheming, cunning, and ruthless. He bribed the Mongols during the day and attacked the Mongol camp at night. Hehe, this is unheard of."

Shui Rong threw the piece of paper into the brazier, and watching the green flames coming out of it, he said calmly, "Warfare is the art of deception."

The old butler shook his head: "Wang Ziteng is playing tricks. He broke the bottom line of both warring parties."

Shui Rong waved his hand: "What good show are you talking about?"

The old housekeeper said: "Wang Ziteng has given the emperor a big problem. According to the rules, those who have made contributions must be rewarded. If Wang Ziteng is rewarded, other generals will follow suit and no longer have any scruples. They will only focus on military merit. This will completely push the Mongols to the Jurchens, ruining the strategy that the court has been promoting. In the future, the pressure from the north will increase greatly."

Shui Rong nodded. The Mongols were not really useless. The reason why they were not strong enough in battle was because they did not want to lose their lives in vain for the great cause of the Jurchens. Therefore, the imperial court had always adopted a conciliatory policy towards the various Mongolian tribes, dividing and disintegrating the Mongols and the Jurchens.

The old butler said: "At this time, the emperor must be hoping that someone will stand up and impeach Wang Ziteng, so that he can take advantage of the situation to punish Wang Ziteng and warn those arrogant and powerful generals."

Shui Rong frowned: "Help him?"

The old housekeeper said: "No. Although Wang Ziteng was wrong in this matter, unlike the prisoners of war slaughtered by Li Hu, the Mongols are a foreign race. No matter who impeaches Wang Ziteng, he will offend the entire military!"

Shui Rong understood: "Speak for Wang Ziteng?"

The old butler's eyes sparkled, "Yes. The court hasn't captured the head of a Mongolian noble for fifty or sixty years, let alone a Beizi. This battle made the Mongolian nobles feel the pain personally, and they will never dare to go south to provoke war in the future. Wang Ziteng has made great contributions to Dashun." At this point, he and Shui Rong laughed at each other.

After laughing, Shui Rong said, "Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Wang Ziteng has ruined the court's strategy. If we want to protect him, we must have a reasonable explanation."

The old butler had already thought about it, and replied with a smile: "After all, Wang Ziteng has made great contributions to Dashun, but he was a little too impatient. Besides, the morale of the army is also at stake here, so for this reason, Wang Ziteng must be rewarded according to the rules."

After a pause, he said, "First, write a petition to jointly protect Wang Ziteng. Once the emperor's people impeach Wang Ziteng, the prince will persuade the people of the four kings and eight dukes to sign it."

Shui Rong was shocked: "This will arouse the emperor's vigilance."

The old housekeeper: "Since the Imperial Household Department took control of the Northern Pacification Department, there have been many more spies around our palace."

Shui Rong was silent.

The old housekeeper said: "In addition, the Jia family should take the lead in this matter."

Shui Rong shook his head: "They don't dare, they won't agree."

The old butler sneered: "This is not up to them."

Shui Rong was surprised again: "Oh?"

The old housekeeper: "Young Master, do you still remember Qin from Ningguo Mansion?"

Shui Rong: "Have you got the evidence?"

The old housekeeper said: "No, but it is certain that Qin is the daughter of the deposed prince."

Shui Rong was about to speak when the old housekeeper continued, "No evidence is needed. Jia Zhen doesn't dare to bet, so he will sign obediently."

Shui Rong nodded.

In the western warm room of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a large pot of charcoal fire was burning.

Emperor Yongchang was sitting on the couch in the south, looking upwards with a gloomy face. Suddenly, his eyes flashed, he stood up abruptly, walked to the imperial desk, took out a chapter, and spread it on the imperial desk. It was the memorial from the fourth prince recommending Jia Yucun.

Dai Quan, who was standing aside, was stunned. He held his breath and looked at him silently.

"Is this Jia Yucun a member of the Jia family?" Emperor Yongchang suddenly asked.

Dai Quan: “Same spectrum.”

Emperor Yongchang seemed to be talking to Dai Quan, or to himself: "Same family. What a pity! It would be better if he was from the Jia family! The Jia family, plus the recommendation of the Fourth Prince, and then revealing the identity of the Crown Prince's disciple, do you think the people of the Four Princes and Eight Dukes will still speak for Wang Ziteng?"

Dai Quan was in a dilemma, and said after careful consideration: "The thunder and rain are probably a gift from heaven."

Emperor Yongchang glanced at Dai Quan and sighed, "Although Wang Ziteng has made great contributions, it is difficult for me if he ignores the overall situation!"

Dai Quan hesitated for a moment and said, "Lin Ruhai wrote a letter of recommendation to Jia Yucun, asking him to go to the capital to ask Jia Zheng for help in introducing him."

After hearing this, Emperor Yongchang thought for a moment and said loudly, "Let Jia Yucun come to see me!"

Dai Quan: “Yes.” The sun had already set.

Li Hu and Jia She came out from the outer study.

As Jia She walked away, he said, "Don't get involved in this mess. No matter how the court handles it, the war in the north will surely ignite again next year, and the Jurchens will not miss this opportunity."

Li Hu: “Yes.”

When they were not far from the gate, Jia She stopped, looked around, and lowered his voice: "Tell me the truth, how is the prince's illness?"

Li Hu paused and said, "It's no problem to hold out for ten or eight years."

Jia She nodded: "That's good!"

There was a sound of footsteps and Jia Lian walked in from the gate.

Jia Lian: "Miss Lin's sedan has come out."

Li Hu bowed deeply to Jia She and said, "Master, please go back."

Jia She thought for a while and said, "The fat piece of meat of Lianghuai Salt Tax will soon be targeted by several princes. I should write a letter to persuade your father-in-law to step down before the fight for the throne begins. It will be too late to get away." After saying that, he turned and walked towards the ceremonial gate.

Jia Lian spoke up: "Brother Zhen asked me to tell you that Rong will send you a New Year gift in two days."

This is contaminated. Li Hu had no choice but to say: "I know, let's go."

Jia Lian smiled and strode out the door with Li Hu.

Six sedan chairs were being waited on Ningrong Street under the escort of personal guards. In addition to Amber and Parrot, who were assigned to Lin Daiyu by Grandmother Jia and were now called Zijuan, Li Hu also asked for Qingwen, who was just presented to Grandmother Jia by the Lai family. He couldn't let someone whose eyebrows and eyes resembled Lin Daiyu serve Da Lian Bao.

When she came, she brought a large cart of gifts, and when she left, the cart was still full, all of which were things given to Lin Daiyu by Lady Jia.

Jia Lian accompanied Li Hu to Ningrong Street.

Li Hu took the reins from Wang Daniu, stepped onto the saddle, and looked back at Jia Lian: "Come and have a seat and a cup of tea when you have time."

Jia Lian smiled and nodded.

Li Hu shook the reins and the horse whirred forward. Wang Daniu and two personal soldiers followed behind him on horseback.

Then, the personal guards followed, guarding the sedan chair and carriage.

Jia Lian watched the group disappear into the street before turning and walking towards the gate.

Just then, the sound of horse hooves came.

Jia Lian stopped and turned to look, only to see a group of five riders galloping towards the gate of Rongguo Mansion. As they got closer, he could clearly see the young man leading the group, wearing a purple gold crown with gemstones on his head and a red and white cloak on his shoulders.

The five riders were getting closer and closer. The young man had a face like the moon in the Mid-Autumn Festival, a complexion like the flowers in the early spring, his temples were as sharp as a knife, his eyebrows were as black as ink, his face was like peach petals, and his eyes were like autumn waves. He had a golden dragon necklace around his neck and a colorful silk ribbon tied with a beautiful jade. It was Jia Baoyu who went to the temple to fulfill his vow.

Jia Baoyu pulled the reins.

The whole group stopped.

Jia Lian walked up to him, helped Jia Baoyu off the horse, and asked, "Why did you come back just now?"

Jia Baoyu: "Madam asked me to come back at this time. What's wrong?"

Jia Lian was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.

At this moment, a steward came out hurriedly and said to Jia Baoyu, "Second Master Bao, the master is waiting for you in the outer study."

Jia Baoyu was startled: "Outside, outside the study"

Steward: “Yes.”

Jia Baoyu swallowed his saliva and looked at Jia Lian: "Second Brother Lian"

Jia Lian smiled and said, "I'll go tell the old lady right now."

Only then did Jia Baoyu walk towards the gate reluctantly.

Jia Lian shook his head, hoping that Jia Zheng would be gentler, otherwise there would be another commotion.
(End of this chapter)