serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 113 Zhao Xi's Death
On the second day, there were still snowflakes in the sky.

At the foot of the mountain, the three armies are solemn.

The nine cannons lined up in front of the three armies fired in unison, nine times in a row, resounding through the sky.

Jia Hu raised his head, took a deep look at the mountain where tens of thousands of Zhou's soldiers were buried, bowed with fists folded, got on his horse, and waved his hands.

The army started in queue.

Jia Hu, who was riding on the horse, took one last look at the mountain. His legs slightly clamped the horse's belly, and the horse under his crotch moved slowly.

The soldiers behind him followed closely behind the reins.

On October 27, the second year of Jianwu, the gate of Suiyuan City was opened wide. The guards led the Chahar soldiers who put down their weapons to kneel in the open space outside the city, and teams of Zhou army cavalry stood behind them.

The banner of the Zhou army was already flying over the city of Suiyuan. Hundreds of Han Chinese who had been looted by the Mongols crowded at the gate of the city, waiting excitedly for the arrival of the army.

Suddenly, there was a sound of horns, which was high-pitched and long, and at the same time there was the earth-shattering sound of horseshoes. Then, the ground shook slightly, and everyone knew that the army was coming.

Soon, a mighty army appeared in front of everyone, like a sea of ​​red, which could not be seen at a glance.

After more than half a month of trekking, the army finally arrived at the foot of Suiyuan City. Looking at the Suiyuan City in front of him, Jia Hu was full of emotion in his heart. After going around for a while, he still came here.

At the beginning, I came to this city, but I was forced into the depths of the prairie by the fifth elder brother. In the end, the battle became bigger and bigger, and it became more and more tragic. It was so tragic that several Mongolian tribes were exterminated, and more than a hundred thousand Mongolians Lost life.

In the end, this important place fell into his own hands, and the original owner, King Chahar, only had one processed head left, which will be sent to the Taimiao together with the head of King Khalkha.

At this time, eunuch Zhao rushed up, took out a cowhide envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Jia Hu: "Marshal, this is an official document from the cabinet delivered by the Criminal Division."

"Oh?" Jia Hu took it and opened the seal to look at it, then handed the official document to Eunuch Zhao, pondered for a while, and said to Eunuch Zhao: "Since the cabinet has sent the official document, let the Criminal Division send Zhao Xixian to Beijing." go."

Eunuch Zhao was taken aback for a moment, he didn't expect Jia Hu to agree to send Zhao Xi to Beijing, how could this be possible?

The emperor's secret decree had arrived long ago, and Zhao Xi could not go to Beijing alive, because the emperor wanted to take advantage of this incident to set off a big case and severely slash the gentry group.

It is said that the family property confiscated by the Criminal Division from the Qiantang Pei family was as high as 200 million yuan, and the remaining antiques, calligraphy and paintings were also discounted by nearly one million taels.

There are also those core figures in the Pei Party who are also in important positions. Taking these people can not only weaken the strength of the Jiangnan gentry, but also enrich the national treasury.

Thinking of this, Eunuch Zhao blinked: "Marshal, why don't we discuss it, maybe we can meet Zhao Xi and listen to what he has to say."

Jia Hu didn't understand what he meant, and looked at him with a smile: "Supervisor Zhao deserves to be an old man by His Majesty's side."

Eunuch Zhao replied with a sneer: "Without Doctor Yushi, Li Shouzhong will be the head of the Metropolitan Procuratorate."

Jia Hu was startled for a moment, then nodded with a smile, turned around and ordered loudly: "Go into the city!"

Following an order, the Zhou army marched into Suiyuan City, and the Han people at the gate of the city were jubilant. From this moment on, the vast area north of the Great Wall and south of Yinshan Mountain will be included in the territory of the Great Zhou. The occupied Hetao area will also be recovered again.

The battle on the eastern grasslands has long since ended. When Jia Hu was still leading the army to cross the Yin Mountain, Liu Fang had already led the army to retreat, and the reinforcements of the Zhelimu League did not dare to take half a step out of the Zhaowuda League. .

It wasn't until the Zhou army retreated two hundred miles that they dared to enter the city of Duolunnuoer. Perhaps in order to vent their anger, Liu Fang ordered someone to put up a sign at the gate of the city with the words "Kings will not be sent away" engraved on it.

The reason why Liu Fang withdrew her troops so quickly was because the weather was getting colder and colder. Another reason was that a food transportation team in the Xuan Mansion was attacked by Eight Banners soldiers. All the Xuanfu cavalry and coachmen were killed in battle, and five thousand shi, grain and rice were burned by the Qing soldiers.

Xuanfu, Zhangjiakou Pass.

In the fierce cold wind, the chief soldier of the Xuan Mansion led dozens of generals and stood waiting under the city gate.

Someone whispered, "Here we come!"

In the distance, a big flag appeared at the end of the world, waving in the wind.

Then, a black army formation appeared on the horizon, mighty and mighty, beyond the horizon at a glance.

Getting closer and closer, everyone can see clearly that the army is triumphant!

The general soldier of the Xuan Mansion: "Go, follow me to meet the old Duke!" He took the lead in galloping up to meet him.

All the generals went up to meet him.

After a few months, Liu Fang lost a lot of weight, her cheeks and eye sockets were sunken, the wrinkles on her face became more, and her hair was more than half gray.

Running in front of Liu Fang, the chief soldier of the Xuan Mansion jumped off his horse and saluted, "Welcome to the triumphant return of the old man!"

All the generals: "Congratulations to the old man for his triumphant return!"

Liu Fang looked at the Zhangjiakou pass in the distance, and said with a smile: "I won't talk about the polite words, let's go to the city and celebrate!"

Everyone laughed.

Zhou's army moved in an orderly manner. First, the infantry entered the pass in a neat queue, followed by tens of thousands of Chahar herdsmen. They were driven by the Shanhaiguan cavalry. They stumbled and looked panic-stricken, not knowing what their future would be.

In the end, there were more than [-] cattle and sheep and tens of thousands of horses driven by the Datong Guards.

Seeing the hesitating expression of the general Xuanfu, Liu Fang smiled and said, "You can choose a thousand horses."

The general of Xuanfu was overjoyed: "Thank you, old man." He stepped forward and said, "In the early morning, news came from the capital, saying that the Zhasaktu Khan of Uliasutai is going to send envoys to Beijing, let us let them go. Listen Said there are Raksha people."

Liu Fang was taken aback: "What, what's going on?"

Xuanfu Chief Soldier: "I don't know, but it should be related to the Yongwei Battalion. They defeated the combined forces of the Manchus and Mongols at the junction of Uliasutai and Ulanchabu League. It was a big victory!"

Liu Fang's eyes lit up.

The chief soldier of the Xuan Mansion continued: "There is a message from Niu Shangshu that the Yizhong County King is eyeing the military power of the infantry commanding the yamen, and the Supreme Emperor's attitude is ambiguous. His Majesty may hand over the [-] military power to the nobles as a last resort. In the hands of the military." As he spoke, he glanced at Bowling Hou Shi Nai.

Liu Fang nodded: "It's getting late, let's go into the city first. If you have anything to do, let's talk slowly while eating."

The chief soldier of the Xuan Mansion smiled and said: "I know that the old man has suffered in the grassland, so he specially prepared fresh fruits and vegetables. The banquet is ready, please invite the old man to enter the city." He gave up his hand and walked towards the pass with Liu Fang.

On the other side, Jia Hu set up the camp of the Chinese Army in the City Lord's Mansion, and all the surrounding houses were occupied by the army.

After soaking comfortably in a hot bath, Jia Hu, who had changed into a brocade robe, sat slanted on the chair in front of the desk. A piece of paper was placed on the desk with the names of more than a dozen generals written on it.

Jia Hu took the pen and swiped it in the ink pool, drew a line on the name of a general, crossed out seven generals in succession, stopped when he drew a name, thought for a while, and put the other generals His name was crossed out, and only this one remained: Inspectorate of the Nine Provinces——Wang Ziteng.

Once Suiyuan City is occupied, someone needs to stay behind. After careful consideration, Jia Hu decided to keep Prince Teng on the grassland. As for when he can go back, it has nothing to do with him.

Jia Hu slowly put down the pen, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, the easy job, the military merits at his fingertips, presumably Wang Ziteng would be grateful to him.

It's just a little cold today.

"Marshal, Supervisor Zhao is here." The voice of a soldier came from outside the door.

Jia Hu raised his head: "Please come in."

A corner of the thick cotton curtain was raised, Eunuch Zhao walked in, and stomped his feet: "This damn weather, it's really cold!"

Jia Hu smiled, wondering if Wang Ziteng could adapt.

Eunuch Zhao walked to the brazier, threw the firewood next to it into the brazier, and said, "Zhao Xi's wind and cold entered his body, causing old injuries, and he is only breathing."

Jia Hu glanced at him, took a sip from the tea bowl, and asked, "If the cabinet asks you."

Eunuch Zhao picked up the pair of iron pokers and fiddled with the fire in the brazier, and replied: "Don't worry, Commander, the cabinet will not blame the Commander for this matter, and the Ministry of Justice has no right to intervene. When the Pei Party falls, it's too late for those people to be happy."

"What about the report to the cabinet?" Jia Hu asked immediately.

"No need." Eunuch Zhao put the tongs aside, turned to look at Jia Hu: "Zhao Xi left a confession letter before he died, the commander-in-chief should read it too."

As he spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve, walked to the desk and handed it over.

Jia Hu took Zhan Kan, was startled, hesitated for a long time before saying: "Six Departments and Nine Ministers, three of them are accounted for, and Qian Shangshu from this Department of Officials, his character is obvious to all. There is a problem."

Eunuch Zhao shook his head: "The commander-in-chief still hasn't done his job well. The law of the king, the law of the king, is the law of the royal family! Thunder, rain and dew are the grace of God. Whoever the emperor says is guilty, then he will be guilty."

Jia Hu stood up, took a few steps, and said, "This commander has never seen that cabinet document."

Eunuch Zhao thought for a while: "Okay."

Jia Hu: "In addition, the commander-in-chief has decided to appoint Wang Ziteng to stay behind in Suiyuan City."

Eunuch Zhao was surprised: "No! Wang Ziteng must return to Beijing."

Jia Hu glanced at him and said, "This is a military order."

After a pause, "The army will rest for three days and return to Beijing on the first day of next month."

Eunuch Zhao clenched his fists, cupped his hands, and strode out of the house!

Looking at Eunuch Zhao's back, Jia Hu narrowed his eyes, how can he bear it?

(End of this chapter)