The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 734: Shi Ding's Surrender

In accordance with Emperor Ning Kang's order, Jia Lian deployed a hundred cannons on a wide position to the west of the retired emperor's palace.

The reason for choosing the west is very simple, that is, the prince is on the west.

After the battle in the middle of the night, the troops under the command of the retired emperor were completely defeated. At this time, if the retired emperor wanted to threaten Emperor Ningkang again or protect himself, his only choice was to join forces with the crown prince.

With the most powerful artillery army blocking the way, if the remaining troops of the retired emperor chose to charge head-on, the result would be predictable.

But if they break out from other directions, they will naturally be easily strangled by the abundant military forces of Emperor Ning Kang at that time.

This will completely eliminate the possible risks caused by the emperor leaving Tiewang Mountain.

After inspecting the position and waiting for the next instruction from Emperor Ning Kang, Zhang Yong, the deputy captain of the personal guard, came to his ear and whispered something that made Jia Lian's face change slightly.

After giving a brief instruction to Jia Yu, Feng Ziying and others, Jia Lian quietly returned to the big tent with his personal guards.

Sure enough, a burly figure appeared in the big tent at some point.

When he saw Jia Lian, he was very enthusiastic.

"Brother Lian~"

Jia Lian first glanced inside the tent and found that there were no other strangers. The man in front of him was dressed as an ordinary officer of the Imperial Guard, so he guessed his purpose.

With a slight wave of his hand, the others consciously left the tent.

"It's Uncle Shi III. I hope you are well."

Shi Ding looked at the handsome and tall Jia Lian in front of him, and a look of regret appeared on his face.

When he became famous and was granted the title, the Jia family was in decline.

At that time, he didn't take the entire Jia family seriously, let alone one of the younger generations.

  It can even be said that among the four major families at that time, only Wang Ziteng was taken seriously by him. In his eyes, the others were mediocre and incompetent!

Times have changed. In the blink of an eye, I, the emperor's personal guard and deputy commander of the Cavalry Battalion, have fallen to the point of disguising myself to meet a descendant of the Jia family.

A few thoughts flashed through his mind quickly, but he didn't dare to be vague on his face.

He did not bother to exchange pleasantries, his expression became very serious: "My dear nephew, please come with me immediately. The Emperor has asked to see you!"

Shi Ding's words were solemn and natural, just like when he was delivering an imperial decree to the emperor. At that time, no one dared to refuse the emperor's summons.

Jia Lian's expression suddenly became meaningful.

Seeing this, Shi Ding sensed something was wrong.

It is said that Jia Lian is a confidant promoted by Emperor Ning Kang, and is extremely loyal to Emperor Ning Kang. I am afraid...

"Why, my dear nephew, you dare not obey the summons of the Emperor?"

"Uncle, you are joking. As a minister of the Great Wei, I dare not disobey the order of the Emperor, but..."

Jia Lian walked to the side, leaned against the simple wooden table, and said quietly: "It's just that my nephew has an important mission, and the fact that my uncle came here in such a covert way makes it hard not to doubt his intentions.

The current situation is chaotic, so I cannot help but be cautious. "

  Shi Ding said angrily, "What could I possibly have? I was given the name 'Zhongjing' by the Emperor Taishang himself, and for more than a decade I have been ordered to protect the Emperor Taishang's safety. My loyalty to the Emperor Taishang is evident to all. Could it be that I would fake an imperial decree to deceive you?"

Never mind, this is the imperial edict written by the Emperor, you can read it for yourself."

Shi Ding angrily took out a roll of bright yellow silk from his arms.

Seeing this, Jia Lian hesitated a little.

The reason why the retired emperor wanted to see him at this time was simply because he wanted him to stab Emperor Ning Kang in the back like he did to the crown prince.

At this time, Jia Lian must be crazy to sneak to see the emperor.

If Emperor Ning Kang knew about this, even if he did not agree to anything with the Supreme Emperor, I am afraid that Emperor Ning Kang would find it difficult to trust him anymore.

Maybe they would send a beauty to approach him and carefully check his belt to see if there is something like a "blood edict" hidden in the interlayer...

Jia Lian would naturally not fall for such a troublesome thing.

But he didn't expect that the emperor would write a special edict for him? He really thought too highly of him.

Could it be that the emperor felt that as long as he surrendered to him, he would be able to turn the tables?

Or, does the emperor have some unknown trump card?

Thinking of this, Jia Lian finally took the silk and unfolded it. It was indeed written in elegant calligraphy:

"I am very pleased that my old friend has become a talented person. I have known Daishan for more than sixty years, and we are closer than brothers. I should keep all the secrets in my heart and live up to his kindness.

However, today, there is something that concerns you that I should tell you.

This is a serious matter, so come and see me immediately, and don’t speak nonsense.”

Shi Ding stared at Jia Lian who was observing the imperial decree.

He did not know the content of the oral order. When the retired emperor gave him the imperial edict, he instructed him to only take it out when he could not persuade Jia Lian to see him.

But the retired emperor forgot that he was just a military general and not good at speaking, so when he saw that Jia Lian really refused to go to the palace to meet him, he immediately took out the things.

He was very nervous at this moment, because he knew that the current emperor had no other means.

Inciting Jia Lian to rebel should be their only way out.

Jia Lian was very surprised when he saw the oral order from the retired emperor.

If it were any other time and place, he would definitely run over to ask the emperor what was going on.

After all, it is very rare for the emperor who has ruled the world for more than fifty years to personally say the words "it is better not to speak nonsense".

Jia Lian thought for a moment, looked up and saw Shi Ding's expression. His face suddenly darkened and he slapped the silk on the table. The sound made scared Shi Ding.

"How dare you, Shi Ding, fabricate the words of the saint!"

"The Emperor is the supreme ruler, and his words are as good as gold. He only needs one sentence to see his subjects, so why would he say so much?

Come, take him down."

The guards who had heard the noise and came in to see what was going on, unceremoniously held Shi Ding down.

  Although Shi Ding was furious, he did not resist, but just shouted angrily: "You Jia Lian, you dare not obey the order of the emperor, and now you want to take me to His Majesty to seek credit?

Humph, our two families are old friends after all, if you do this, aren't you afraid that people all over the world will laugh at you?"

Jia Lian actually had such an idea at first.

At this time, let alone surrendering to the retired emperor, it would be extremely unwise to have any connection with the retired emperor and his confidants.

Therefore, Jia Lian did think about capturing Shi Ding and presenting him to Emperor Ning Kang, so that he could completely sever his relationship with the retired emperor.

However, after being scolded by Shi Ding, Jia Lian felt a little embarrassed.

Looking at Shi Ding who was glaring at him, Jia Lian's eyes turned and he suddenly ordered someone to let him go.

Just as Shi Ding was rubbing his shoulders in anger, Jia Lian said, "Uncle, do you know that you are in great trouble?"

Shi Ding paused and said, "I am just being loyal to the emperor."

At this point, Shi Ding knew that it was hopeless to persuade Jia Lian to rebel, and he thought that others would not be too far behind him.

  All of them, the confidants of the retired emperor, especially the generals who hold military power, know that if Emperor Ningkang succeeds in forcing the emperor to abdicate by force, probably none of them will survive!

After all, the emperor had been the emperor for too long and was the biological father of Emperor Ning Kang. As long as Emperor Ning Kang still cared about his support, he probably wouldn't want to kill the emperor. But Emperor Ning Kang's actions were obviously not impulsive, nor were they just playing house.

He wanted to seize power. Since he wanted to seize power from the retired emperor, if he didn't want to hurt the retired emperor, he had no choice but to kill all the people close to the retired emperor.

This was clearly seen by both Emperor Ning Kang and themselves.

That's why they risked their lives when they led their troops to attack Emperor Ningkang's palace.

Unfortunately, it ended up like this.

Even the high and mighty emperor was at a loss and could only play the emotional card. What could they, the subordinates, do?

Seeing that Shi Ding had a clear mind, Jia Lian nodded.

Just be not stupid.

“My uncle is quite free and easy…but my uncle is full of loyalty and is willing to serve the saint.

But has my uncle ever thought about his wife, children, the elderly and the young at home?

What will become of them now that my uncle is gone?"

Shi Ding was shocked.

It's not that he hasn't thought about it, but he doesn't dare to think about it too much.

What else?

Emperor Ning Kang had already found a pretext for his rebellion.

  The prince is plotting treason!

All of them will probably be labeled as rebels against the prince.

Since they are involved in treason, the natural punishment is...confiscation of property and extermination of the clan.

He and his elder brother Shi Nai had long been at odds with each other, and he didn't care much about other branches of the clan.

  However, he could not help but care about his wives, concubines, and children!

He is also a successful man, with no less than two hundred people in his mansion!

It is possible that other branches of the Shi family might be spared from his involvement, but of the two hundred people in his own mansion, probably none of them would survive.

Who made him a capable general under the emperor?

A cold sweat, mixed with chilling fear, spread from the mind to every part of the body.

“I heard that my uncle had a new baby a few years ago.

It just so happens that I also have a daughter who will soon be three years old.

Therefore, I deeply understand the happiness of watching my own flesh and blood sitting at my knees, and the impulse to risk my life to protect the integrity of my bloodline.

How could my uncle bear to let them suffer the sword and axe because of my uncle? "

Shi Ding could no longer stand steadily. Beads of sweat the size of beans appeared on his forehead and his face turned pale.

He tangled his hands together unconsciously, muttering: "It has come to this, what can I do..."

"If I tell you that I have a way to save your life and the lives of your family, what do you think..."

"Really...really?" Shi Ding suddenly looked up.

"At this moment, if my uncle wants to survive, he has no choice but to stop and surrender to Your Majesty in time!"

The hope in Shi Ding's eyes slipped away at a visible speed, and he fell silent.

Jia Lian said: "While your side has not been completely defeated yet, you still have some value to His Majesty, and with my strong protection, I may be able to save your life.

This is my uncle's only chance.

  You might as well tell my uncle that the reinforcements His Majesty has summoned to Tiewang Mountain this time are far more than the ones I have!

In addition to the South Camp that I came with, there are also the North Camp, the Sima Camp, etc. Your Majesty has already gathered a large number of troops in the Tiewang Mountain area.

If my guess is correct, the entire Tiewang Mountain has now been surrounded by your Majesty's heavy troops, and not even a fly can fly in.

The few remaining troops in the prince's hands would be wiped out in a matter of days.

You won't stand a chance.

Uncle, please think carefully. This is really your only chance. If you miss it, it will be a regret for the rest of your life and it will be too late to regret it."

Jia Lian's words put tremendous pressure on Shi Ding.

  He did not think that Jia Lian was trying to intimidate him. After all, if he did not have enough confidence, how could Jia Lian stand so firmly on the side of Emperor Ning Kang and even disdain the imperial edict written by the retired emperor?

Therefore, the last bit of hope in his heart for the emperor to make a comeback was completely extinguished.

He couldn't help but look at Jia Lian... At this time, the burly man with rough facial features actually looked a little aggrieved.

"But the Emperor has been so kind to me, I..."

Jia Lian interrupted his "loyalty speech" impatiently and said coldly: "Which is more important, the grace of the emperor or your wife, children and the elderly. Uncle, make the decision yourself.

I just want to remind your uncle that there is no time for you to hesitate.

The troops Your Majesty left on the mountain have surrounded the palace, and the attack may begin at any time.

There are heavy troops surrounding the mountain. Once we take action, you will die..."

The ruthless and cold words made Shi Ding's face change again and again. Finally, he sighed dejectedly and said humbly: "But, even if I am willing to surrender, I am afraid that His Majesty may not accept it..."

Previously, when he and Sun Jia and others attacked the palace of Emperor Ning Kang, they worked hard enough and caused terrible casualties to Emperor Ning Kang, and they almost captured Emperor Ning Kang alive.

Seeing that Shi Ding's dull head finally turned around, Jia Lian smiled.

Although he and Shi Ding didn't have much friendship.

But there is no hatred either.

Moreover, what Shi Ding said was right. Given the generations-long friendship between the two families, it would not be appropriate to capture him and seek credit from Emperor Ning Kang.

So he suddenly thought that it might be a good idea to surrender him like Pei Fengnian did.

As the third master of the Shi family, Shi Ding was able to earn a marquis title by his own ability, which made him definitely a figure.

If he can save his life this time, as long as he still has a conscience, he will naturally become one of his supporters in the future.

"Your Majesty, I will intercede for my uncle. All my uncle needs is this..."

As he spoke, Jia Lian called Shi Ding over and whispered some instructions in his ear.

After hearing this, Shi Ding's face was filled with hope, but he was also hesitant: "Will this really work?"

"Don't worry, uncle will follow my instructions when the time comes."

Although Jia Lian did not show complete confidence on his face, he was not worried about failure.

Based on his years of experience of flattering Emperor Ning Kang, he knew that Emperor Ning Kang was not someone who would be controlled by his emotions and lose his reason.

According to Shi Ding's current value, Emperor Ning Kang would accept it.

……