serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 389
In a blink of an eye, it’s the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month again, and I’m having a bowl of Laba porridge to prepare for the New Year.

It has been more than half a month since the Yongwei Camp entered the city on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Apart from a few complaints from the common people due to the rise in food prices again, the capital has returned to its former peace.

On the official road outside the capital, a group of more than thirty riders marched hard in the cold wind and snow.

Two Zhou army cavalry walked in front, followed by more than thirty cavalry.

Through the snowflakes, it can be seen that the more than thirty people on horseback are all wearing the costumes of the Western Yi people. The leader is Major William, who has been on two missions to the Zhou Dynasty.

Like the previous two times, Major William came to seek peace. The difference was that this time he only represented his country, France.

The majestic Beijing Tower is already in sight.

William reined in the reins.

The whole group stopped.

A French officer came over and said: "Colonel, it's such a heavy snowstorm, let's hurry up and hurry up."

In just a few months, William jumped from major to colonel, not because of his great achievements, but because almost all the senior French officers in Southeast Asia died in the battle.

Looking at the tall city of Beijing in front of him, Colonel William sighed deeply. The navy of the Zhou Dynasty swept across the entire Nanyang region, defeated their fleets, destroyed the fortresses they built, occupied their ports and cities, and captured them. soldiers and civilians.

The combined fleet that came from thousands of miles away was besieged by the navy of the Zhou Dynasty as soon as it sailed into Nanyang. If the wind direction had not changed, their entire army would have been annihilated.

If he had known that the two countries would go to war, he would not have sold the blueprints of the new artillery to the Zhou Dynasty people for a little money.

Thinking of this, William shook his head and smiled bitterly, hoping that the intelligence coming from the country could exchange the occupied ports and cities from the Zhou Dynasty people.

Colonel William crossed his legs and galloped towards Beijing.

More than thirty French cavalrymen quickly chased after him.
It was snowing heavily and everything was white, and the front yard of Ning'an Hall was quiet.

Due to the heavy snow, a lot of snow accumulated on the road in less than half an hour. Jia Hu came in from the backyard wearing a cloak, making a crunching sound as he stepped on the snow on the road.

Two large charcoal fires had been burning in the outer study room early, and Lin San was already sitting on a chair against the wall waiting for Jia Hu.

Jia Hu got in from the cotton curtain, hung the cloak on the hanger, dragged a chair, and sat down by the fire.

Lin San came over with a bowl of tea at this time: "Your Highness, take a sip of hot tea."

Jia Hu took the teacup, took a sip, put it down, stretched out his hand to warm himself by the fire, and said, "How is the military camp being set up?"

Lin San: "The snow is too heavy. It will probably take fifteen years to complete."

Jia Hu rubbed his hands: "Okay."

Lin San took out a list from his sleeve and handed it to Jia Hu: "These are the names of generals above guerrilla level selected by the emperor from Xuanfu, Datong, and Jizhou."

"Oh? So fast!"

Jia Hu took a look at the list and couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows. It seemed that the emperor was dying and couldn't even wait for the verification time. He glanced over and saw several familiar names.

Jia Hu, however, kept his expression and handed the list to Lin San: "Make a copy and give it to Mr. Jiao so that he can check it."

Lin San: "Yes." He folded the list and stuffed it into his sleeve, then took out a letter from his arms: "This is from the palace."

Jia Hu took the letter, tore it open and read it, only a few lines of words made his expression change.

Mei Changwen entered the palace last night, and Zhao Shun, the deputy general manager of Qianqing Palace, suspected that he had brought something out of the palace.

You don't need to guess to know that it is Emperor Jianwu's secret edict. Although you can't tell the content, it is definitely not about Jia Hu. It is useless to others alive, and the imperial edict is even less useful after death.

The emperor also knew that he was dying and began to prepare for his death.Jia Hu threw the letter into the brazier and said to Lin San, "What has Liu Kun been busy with recently?"

Lin San: "I haven't been out. I've been staying at home with my family. He said he wanted to live a happy life in peace and quiet for a few years."

After hearing this, Jia Hu sighed. Liu Kun was Jia Daishan's old man and had always been loyal, but last year he accepted the emperor's imperial edict without permission. This made Jia Hu wary, so he gave Lin three slaps. Such an order.

The emperor did send a secret edict to Liu Kun, but Liu Kun received the edict but did not open it.

After following Lin San back to Beijing, Liu Kun voluntarily handed over his military power and politely rejected Jia Hu's proposal to recommend him as Minister of War.

Lin Sanyi smiled: "It's good to be old, and you'll be fine after a while."

Jia Hu nodded.

Lin San suddenly remembered: "Just now I met Dr. Wang on Ningrong Street, and he said that the second wife of Xifu was ill."

Jia Hu's eyes flashed. After that incident, Mrs. Wang was punished by Jia Mu and sent to the Buddhist hall. Jia Mu came here in the wind and snow for three days in a row. She didn't say anything, just ate and laughed with Lin Daiyu.

During this period, I also brought a letter written by Yuanchun. There was no complaint in the letter, it was all understanding and trust.

The actions of the grandfather and grandson made Jia Hu a little embarrassed. Fortunately, Jia Hu was thick-skinned and dealt with it as if nothing happened.

It has only been a few days, but Mrs. Wang has become ill. She is so mean-spirited!

At this moment, the voice of a soldier came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has sent copies of official documents."

Jia Hu glanced at Lin San and motioned for him to come in.

Lin San quickly walked to the door, collected the official documents in the hands of the soldiers, walked back to Jia Hu, and held them there.

Jia Hu waved his hand: "Read it."

Lin San: "Yes." He opened an official document and read: "The Gansu General Military Office reported that a rebel cavalry force of 500 people attacked the official grain depot in Dunhuang and was repulsed by the defenders!"

"Oh?"

Jia Hu's eyes flashed: "Why did the rebels appear in Gansu? And also attacked Dunhuang?"

Lin San: "The Gansu General Military Office is investigating this matter."

Jia Hu nodded.

Lin San opened another official document, and his expression changed at first glance.

Jia Hu: "What's wrong?"

Lin San: "Yes, it's an urgent delivery from the Jiangxi General Military Office."

Jia Hu: "What are you talking about?"

Lin San: "A riot broke out in Jiujiang Prefecture. Local officials colluded with the gentry to embezzle relief food. Thousands of people starved to death in one of the counties. The people were forced into desperation and attacked the county government office and robbed the food. In less than seven days, riots swept across The entire Jiujiang Prefecture and Jiangxi General Military Office are deploying troops to suppress it."

Jia Hu's expression changed and he stood up suddenly. He grabbed the express delivery and took a quick look. Then he threw the express delivery heavily to the ground: "How could there be riots in five counties at the same time?!"

Lin San hesitated for a moment: "Will this matter have any impact on Mr. Lin?"

Jia Hu walked back and forth in the room for a few steps, then stopped suddenly when he reached the desk, his eyes flashing: "Let's go to the Ministry of War!"

(End of this chapter)