serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 179 The Expectations of Subordinates

The sun is already westward.

Next to the ruins of Helinger, a brand-new city rose from the ground. To be exact, it was on Wednesday, with a city wall more than two feet high. It is built with irregular stone blocks and rammed earth in the middle. It is very strong and can withstand continuous artillery attacks.

Numerous captives and Mongolian handymen are building urns outside the four city gates under the supervision of the Han people. The stone materials brought back from various strongholds are just enough to build the city, so the houses inside the city walls can only be built with rammed earth.

Two guards on duty stood on the watchtower, their gazes patrolling the shirtless prisoners with yellow flags.

A soldier said: "His grandma! These Eight Banners soldiers are not very good at fighting, but they are good at work."

Another soldier smiled: "What is invincible! Shit! I heard that everyone was kneeling on the ground and weeping bitterly, even the fucking Mongolian Tartars!"

"Hey, just now I heard from my fellow villager who was the chief executive that the imperial court suffered a defeat in the south, and Xuzhou City was lost!"

"Xuzhou City is lost? How is it possible!"

"I won't lie to you. The court's military report has arrived, and the Chinese army has already spread the word."

"A group of rebels broke Xuzhou City! What kind of battle is this fighting!"

Suddenly, the soldier's eyes showed joy, "The commander has returned to camp."

Another soldier turned around and saw a group of cavalry galloping towards the camp.

Chinese military account
Xie Qiong, Liu Kun, Yang Dayong and other generals sat solemnly in front of a row of short tables on the right.

Eunuch Zhao's face was ashen, and he sat cross-legged in front of the short one on the left side without saying a word.

The handsome seat in the middle is empty.

Eunuch Zhao raised his head, looked at Xie Qiong, Liu Kun, Yang Dayong and other generals sitting there, heaved a long sigh, and said in a sad tone: "The miscellaneous family really don't understand, what kind of battle they fought, why did the rebels ravage the Central Plains?" The people were displaced, the officers and soldiers suffered heavy casualties, and Xuzhou City was lost, why did this happen?"

Xie Qiong, Liu Kun, Yang Dayong and Zhang Chengcheng remained silent.

The other generals glanced at Xie Qiong and the others before lowering their heads.

Eunuch Zhao's eyes kept flickering, and he continued: "You don't know yet, there is news from the Zhenfu Division that Prince Yongqi of the Tartars led the remnants back to Liaodong, and Ningyuan also ceased fighting. The next step is to wait for the imperial court's order. It's time for the big guys to get promoted too.

As far as Zajia knows, all the generals will be promoted and added titles, and even the two generals Yang and Zhang will be promoted to second-rank deputy generals, General Liu Kun will be awarded the third-rank uncle, and General Xie Qiong will be promoted to the first-rank uncle. "

As soon as this remark came out, it immediately caused a huge silent reaction:
First of all, Yang Dayong and Zhang Cheng were overjoyed!

Liu Kun forced himself to restrain his joy and excitement. Although the title cannot be hereditary, the descendants of the next generation can still be hereditary high-ranking military officers. Besides, he is still young, and if he works hard, he may be able to win a hereditary viscount.

Xie Qiong looked happy but not ostentatious.

The other generals showed excited expressions.

Eunuch Zhao saw it, and raised his voice: "The commander-in-chief is well-planned, and the soldiers are relying on their lives. This battle has won a complete victory! Whether it is the Manchu Tartars or the Monan Mongolian tribes, they have suffered heavy losses. , as long as the city is built, the grassland south of Yinshan Mountain will be completely in the hands of the imperial court, and even the Chahar grassland will become the imperial court’s pasture.”

He paused at this point, "Whether it's a general or an ordinary soldier, fighting on the battlefield is for the purpose of enshrining his wife and son. However, we have killed so many northern captives, but it is not as good as the general who led the army to counter the rebellion in the south. quick.

You know, we made first-class and second-class military merits, and they made fourth-class military merits.One Manchu Tartar head can be worth six rebel heads, and one Mongol Tartar head can be worth three rebel heads.

The miscellaneous family heard that in less than a month since the Beijing camp went south, more than ten guerrillas have been promoted to generals, and even three lieutenants have been promoted.You've probably all heard about that Prince Teng who was almost captured alive by the rebels of the Cao gang. He was knighted in just over two months, and he is still a hereditary titled Earl! "

As soon as this remark came out, everyone was silent.

Eunuch Zhao glanced at everyone one by one, and said with a smile: "If we are the ones who put down the rebellion in the south, the commander-in-chief will be very powerful, and all his subordinates are lieutenants and generals, and they all have titles, so there may be some people who have won hereditary titles. "

Xie Qiong's face changed suddenly, but he couldn't open his mouth to refute him. Every word that eunuch Zhao said was directly related to the future of all the generals. Who wouldn't want to seal their wives?
Everyone understood the implication of Eunuch Zhao's words, so they all concentrated on thinking carefully, and the big tent fell into silence for a while.

A smile flashed across Eunuch Zhao's eyes, then he picked up the tea bowl and drank slowly.

Outside the big tent, Jia Hu looked at the setting sun with his hands behind his back. Even though he had received Lin Daiyu's letter long ago, his heart was still full of waves.

If it is as Jia She guessed, then Wang Ziteng is too courageous.

Thinking of this, Jia Hu took a deep breath, then grabbed the handle of the knife at his waist, and strode towards the big tent.

There was silence in the big tent.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew in and the curtain was thrown open.

Everyone looked up one after another, and quickly stood up: "Marshal."

Eunuch Zhao also stood up, "Master."

Jia Hu nodded to him, walked to the handsome seat and sat down, put the waist knife on the table, waved his hand: "Sit down."

Eunuch Zhao sat down.

Generals such as Xie Qiong and Liu Kun also sat down.

Jia Hu unfolded the copy of the military newspaper and said, "Supervisor Zhao, do you think the imperial court will allow us to go south to suppress the bandits?"

Eunuch Zhao was taken aback, and looked at Jia Hu with his eyes open.

While flipping through the military newspaper, Jia Hu said, "You don't know yet, do you? Those who were transferred to the Beijing camp have now been promoted, three lieutenants, and the rest have also been promoted to generals. They are very prestigious."

All the generals looked at each other, all looking at Jia Hu.

After reading the copy of the military newspaper, Jia Hu asked Eunuch Zhao, "Do you think the Jingying can take back Xuzhou City?"

Eunuch Zhao understood that Jia Hu already knew the court's counter-insurgency strategy, so he asked instead, "What do you think, Commander?"

Jia Hu replied with a smile: "Supervisor Zhao should be aware that this commander will never fight unprepared battles, nor will he comment on things he doesn't understand."

Eunuch Zhao was silent for a while, and said: "Xuzhou City was almost given to the White Lotus Sect for nothing. Not to mention the weapons and equipment, Marquis Baoling also built a large number of defense equipment, which is not easy to fight. Although Ma Shang has [-] The elite of the former Fifth Army Battalion may have to pay a heavy price to recapture Xuzhou City. But, what's next?"

After a pause, "Counting the time, the military newspaper that reported victory will enter Beijing tomorrow. As long as there is bad news from the south, His Majesty will definitely dispatch the Yongwei Battalion to go south to suppress the rebellion. If that is the case, why not?"

Jia Hu smiled slightly: "Why not?"

Eunuch Zhao: "Why don't we challenge the imperial court before His Majesty makes an order. Your majesty is wise, and he will definitely praise the general and the Yongwei battalion." As he spoke, he glanced at Liu Kun and other generals, "

This is a great military exploit, and it is still within easy reach.Why we can only fight with the northern captives, and make others cheaper for nothing.Don't you think so? "

Everyone looked at Jia Hu.

Jia Hu didn't answer, his eyes swept over the faces of Liu Kun and other generals: "A man should think of serving the country! Now that the court is in trouble, we naturally have to share the country's worries. But the court has its own grand strategy, how to put down the rebels, how to The imperial court has strategies for dispatching troops and generals.

I know how many people have suffered a lot this year, and I can better understand everyone's feelings. After fighting so many tough and bitter battles, they still can't keep up with their two-month promotion. "

Seeing that everyone lowered their heads, "Okay, let's not talk about it." Then he said to Eunuch Zhao: "I would like to ask Supervisor Zhao to draft a memorial to challenge the emperor."

Eunuch Zhao was overjoyed, he didn't expect Jia Hu to agree so readily.

At the beginning, it was not that no one asked for the Yongwei camp to go south to quell the rebellion, but they were all rejected by the emperor. Now that things have reached this point, the court will definitely send the Yongwei camp to the south, but the emperor can't let the emperor slap himself in the face!
Eunuch Zhao was relieved to see Jia Hu so considerate of the overall situation, and smiled at Jia Hu, "It's the miscellaneous family who is a villain in vain. After returning to Beijing, the miscellaneous family will apologize to His Majesty." After finishing speaking, he spread out the blank chapter he had prepared, Pick up the pen and start writing immediately.

After hearing his words, Liu Kun and the others were slightly taken aback, but after thinking about it, they looked angrily at Eunuch Zhao.

Jia Hu didn't seem to care at all, and said softly: "Whether the court approves or not, you all have to thank Zhao Jianjun, and thank him for fighting for everyone's chance to be promoted."

Everyone had no choice but to answer: "Yes."

Jia Hu remained silent, sitting there quietly.

As soon as he entered the big camp, Jia Hu received an urgent letter from Niu Jizong, and learned about the imperial court's counter-insurgency strategy, and then learned more from Jia Amnesty's private letter. As for what happened in the big tent just now, Jia Hu It is even more clear.

As the emperor's domestic slave, eunuch Zhao is very qualified. Unfortunately, it is not a simple matter to transfer the brave guard camp to the south to suppress the rebellion. Behind this also involves the political struggle of the court. First, the Supreme Emperor, then King Zhongshun, Yizhong Officials such as the king of the county and Mei Changwen, and even those officials who were dragged into the water by the Manchus, the White Lotus Sect, and the Cao Gang.

For various purposes, they will try to stop or delay the time for the Yongwei Battalion to go south.

Take your time and wait.

Suddenly, I remembered that those honorable families who sent their children to Ma Shang to work under Ma Shang's command were really not as good as heaven. Siege battles are much more tragic than field battles, let alone a military town like Xuzhou, unless there is a miracle, Otherwise, Xuzhou City will become a cemetery for officers and soldiers.

Perhaps, Ma Shang will drive the refugees from Shandong to attack the city.

After a while, eunuch Zhao put down his pen and stood up. Then, holding the chapter in his hand, he walked to the handsome desk in the middle, "Master."

Jia Hu came back to his senses: "Yeah." He took the chapter from Eunuch Zhao and looked at it briefly, "Okay, Supervisor Zhao has taken care of it." Then, he unfolded the invitation to war memorial on the commander's case, and raised his pen Come on, write the word "Jia Hu" squarely at the inscription above.Then, he handed the pen to Eunuch Zhao, and said to Xie Qiong, Liu Kun and others: "Everyone sign it!"

Everyone came over in a line, and signed their names quickly one by one.

At this time, Eunuch Zhao came in with a cowhide lettercase, followed by a prisoner carrying a tray.

Glancing at the name above, Eunuch Zhao nodded with a satisfied smile, and then asked Jia Hu, "General?"

Jia Hu: "Seal it."

"Yes."

Eunuch Zhao put the memorial in a cowhide envelope, turned to the man and said, "Baking paint."

Hearing this, the man immediately baked the seal of the envelope with the prepared paint stick, and placed it on the desk.

Jia Hu took out a purse embroidered with orchids from his bosom, took out a small seal of his own and stamped it on the paint, and then took out three feathers from a wooden box in Shuai's case and stuck them on the paint.

Eunuch Zhao took out his own seal from his sleeve, stamped it on the other side, and then picked up the cowhide envelope, "Send it to Beijing immediately." Then he said to the man, "You immediately Get ready, choose a fast horse, enter the customs before dark, send this memorial to the palace, and present it to the emperor."

"Wait a minute," Jia Hu said.

Eunuch Zhao was startled: "Marshal?"

Jia Hu stood up and said to Liu Kun and several generals, "Which of you is willing to send this memorial to the palace?"

Everyone was startled, and all looked at Jia Hu.

Eunuch Zhao frowned.

There was an intriguing smile on the corner of Jia Hu's mouth, and he continued: "Go, show your majesty and the civil and military of the Manchu Dynasty your heart to serve the country with all your strength, and bring back the imperial decree of dispatching troops."

After hearing this, everyone heaved a sigh of relief and looked at each other. Then, the general of the vanguard battalion stood up and gave a military salute. To the emperor!"

Jia Hu nodded: "Be careful on the road, let's go."

The general of the Pioneer Battalion responded loudly: "No!" He stepped forward to take the cowhide envelope from Eunuch Zhao's hand, turned around and strode out.

Eunuch Zhao came back to his senses and winked at that man.

The man nodded, and followed him out.

Inside Yongding Gate
Temple of Heaven
There is no cloud in the sky, no wind, only the sun that can burn people to death!
This year, the capital experienced the hottest dog days in 20 years. There were 20 days of mid-fu, that is, two mid-fu. There was no wind and no rain. Many people were already dead from heat.

The people were anxious, and so was the emperor. First he ordered the Ministry of Rites to pray for rain, but there was no rain, and then he ordered the senior officials in Beijing to pray for rain. Three days later, there was still no rain. When this happened, the emperor went to the Temple of Heaven to pray for rain.

Praying for rain is a major sacrificial activity of the imperial court. Special officials preside over the ceremony of praying for rain, and special musicians will play the Divine Comedy during the ceremony.

The sacrifice starts at dawn. The Circular Mound Altar of the Temple of Heaven is the main place for praying for rain. It is a three-story open-air round platform, also known as the Tiantai. There are various gods and sacrifices dedicated to the gods, and the order of offering the sacrifices is also particular. First, jade and silk, followed by three animals, and then jue.

After the sacrifices were finished and the Zhu Wen was burned, the emperor knelt there quietly, with nobles, princes and ministers kneeling behind him.

At noon, the sun was scorching like fire.

Emperor Jianwu in the emperor's uniform was sweating all over his face, and his shoulders and back were all soaked. The nobles, princes and ministers kneeling there were sweating profusely, but they still looked solemn and motionless.

In the distance, Dai Quan walked back and forth anxiously, raised his head slightly, and looked up at the sky. The Qintian supervisor had predicted that it would rain today, and the old eunuchs who set up the supervisor were also certain that it would rain today. Their legs When it is about to rain, I will feel a dull pain. It has been more than ten years, and I have never missed it.

But why is there no movement at all?
If it doesn't rain anymore, the emperor and princes and ministers will not be able to hold on!
Suddenly, shouts of "Wan Sheng! Wan Sheng" came in bursts.

Dai Quan trembled violently, then turned to look at Yongding Gate.

The cheers of "Wansheng" became higher and higher, clearer and louder.

Emperor Jianwu stood up suddenly, and the nobles, princes and ministers also stood up, turned around, and all looked in the direction of Yongdingmen.

At this time, the deputy chief eunuch of the Qianqing Palace rushed in like a gust of wind, raised the military newspaper in his hand, and panted: "Grass, grassland. Fight, win!"

Dai Quan grabbed the military newspaper and rushed towards the emperor.

Emperor Jianwu strode over, snatched the military newspaper, tore open the seal to read it, then blushed, then turned around, and shouted to the nobles, princes and ministers: "Great victory in the grassland!"

Before the words were finished, suddenly, a gust of wind blew up, and the corners of everyone's robes were lifted high by the wind, and then, a shocking thunder rolled across the sky.

Everyone looked up, and the sky suddenly became gloomy, and the dark clouds were getting thicker and thicker.

Song Chengliang said in surprise, "It's going to rain."

Emperor Jianwu looked up at the sky, then at the military newspaper in his hand, with a trace of bitterness on his face, and then said to Dai Quan: "Get the umbrella quickly."

Dai Quan: "Yes." With a wave of his hand, the little yellow gatemen who had been prepared a long time ago rushed over holding umbrellas.

A flash of lightning, followed by a terrifying thunderclap, shocked everyone to tremble.

Instantly it rained heavily
(End of this chapter)