serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 98 The Vanishing Guards Battalion
In the early morning of early September, I could already feel a bit of coolness, and it rained all night again. The autumn wind pulled a few fallen leaves and danced in the air. Zhengyangmen Street was empty, and occasionally passers-by were in a hurry.

There was a sound of horseshoes, and a group of military envoys kept lashing their fast horses with whips and galloped towards the imperial city.

The palace, the cabinet is on duty.

Emperor Jianwu sat on the chair where Song Chengliang, the chief assistant, often sat in front of the desk.

Song Chengliang sat under the window and said to the left servant of the household department who was standing beside him: "Immediately allocate [-] shi of grain from the official warehouse of the Xuanfu to the old Duke."

Hubu Zuoshilang: "Yes." Turned around and walked out.

Emperor Jianwu just listened silently, with no expression on his face.

Song Chengliang said to the military officer next to him: "Immediately order Datong Town to find out the whereabouts of the Yongwei Battalion no matter what."

The soldier of the Ministry of War replied loudly: "Yes."

Zhang Shangwen, who was sorting out official documents at the side, said: "It seems that the weather is very cold this year, and the war is anxious. Let's make preparations early and send over the winter cotton clothes."

Song Chengliang nodded: "You are right." As he spoke, he picked up a pen and began to write. After finishing writing, he stamped the official seal, and then handed it to the military doctor, "Please Niu Shangshu to affix the official seal of the Ministry of War, Send it to the Xuan Mansion in an expedited six hundred miles, so that they must transport the winter cotton clothes to the old man's camp within fifteen days."

"Yes." The soldier from the Ministry of War strode out with the official document.

Song Chengliang approved the two important official documents and handed them to the Langzhong who was standing by the side. He took a sip from the tea bowl and said, "It's been almost two months since we've wiped out many Mongols. Er’s battle plan has not been realized so far. There has been no news from the 20 Battalion and the Yongwei Battalion for more than [-] days, and the main force led by the old Duke has been dragged back by the Zhelimu League coalition forces.”

At the end of August, there was an urgent call from Datong Town. The spies sent by Datongwei to Dongshengwei's old city did not see the Yongwei Camp, only the ruined Tucheng and the tall earthen tomb. , After confirming that it was a Mongol body, the spies rushed to Helinger again, but they still did not see the Yongwei Camp, and the surrounding area of ​​Helinger had become a dead zone, with the corpses of herders, cattle and sheep everywhere, the spies confirmed These people, cattle and sheep all died of poisoning from drinking the polluted water.

The last secret document sent by the eunuch Zhao of the supervising army only mentioned the last battle in the old city of Dongshengwei. one step strategy.

Emperor Jianwu finally spoke: "Considering the time, the Three Thousand Battalion should join forces with the Yongwei Battalion."

Zhang Shangwen was taken aback, looked at the emperor, and then turned his gaze to Song Chengliang, the first assistant. Seeing his calm face, he immediately understood that his face was a little ugly.

At this time, Dai Quan who was standing outside the door said, "Your Majesty, Niu Shangshu from the Ministry of War is here."

After a while, Niu Jizong, Minister of the Ministry of War, came in, saluted Emperor Jianwu hurriedly, then stepped forward, presented the military report with both hands, and said: "Your Majesty, the old Duke's military report."

Emperor Jianwu took the military newspaper, read it hastily, and then frowned.

Song Chengliang was startled and looked at Niu Jizong. Just as he was about to speak, Emperor Jianwu said: "Three days ago, on the seventh day of September, the old Duke seized the opportunity and used artillery to destroy the front camp of the Zhelimu League. The superior cavalry defeated the left wing of the Zhelimu League coalition forces in one fell swoop, and more than [-] heads were captured in this battle. The Zhelimu League coalition forces have retreated to Xiamaling in the territory of Zhaowuda League."

Song Chengliang asked anxiously: "Then when can they go west?"

Emperor Jianwu gave him a deep look, and then said: "The old man is going to lead his army into the Zhaowuda League to pursue the defeated army of the Zhelimu League."

Song Chengliang was surprised again.

Niu Jizong said: "The old man received an urgent letter from Jia Hu telling him not to go to Suiyuan City. The Manchus are there."

Song Chengliang: "Where is the Yongwei Battalion? Did you join forces with the Three Thousand Battalion?"

Ok?
Emperor Jianwu squinted, the relationship between him and Jia Hu was not easy!

Niu Jizong: "I don't know, the old man only knows that Jia Hu led the troops to go north."

"Since he dared to lead the troops to the north, it means that he has full confidence, and he may have joined forces with the [-] Battalion. However, it is very cold this year, and I am afraid that the first snow on the grassland will be earlier." Zhang Shangwen said.

Emperor Jianwu's face also became serious, and after pondering for a while, he said: "Counting the three thousand battalions and the heavy troops, there are more than one hundred thousand horses, even those who robbed the grassland people may not be able to make up this number."

Speaking of this, he stood up, walked slowly to the door, looked into the distance, and sighed: "Actually, this battle has been considered a victory. The old duke and the others captured [-] to [-] Chahar herdsmen and captured their heads. Nearly [-], and now they have defeated the coalition forces of the Zhelimu League. By the way, the [-] Battalion raided the Ikezhao League’s Royal Court garrison, defeated the [-] main force guarding the Royal Court in one fell swoop, and killed a large number of men. The attack destroyed three pastures, and it will be difficult for Yikezhaomeng to recover without a year or two."

Song Chengliang went on to say: "I hope the Yongwei Battalion and the Three Thousand Battalion can return safely."

Emperor Jianwu was stunned for a moment, and suddenly said to Dai Quan: "Go, ask Zhen Fusi, why is there no news about Jia Hu yet?!"

"Yes." Dai Quan replied loudly.

Dongcheng, Pei Mansion.

Pei Yan sat up with the support of his old wife and leaned his head on the high pillow at the head of the bed.

Then, Pei Yan's old wife brought over the medicine bowl: "Take the medicine."

Pei Yan sighed, took the medicine and drank it in one gulp.

Pei Yan's old wife brought over another bowl of water. Pei Yan rinsed his mouth, waved his hands, and slowly closed his eyes.

Pei Yan's old wife looked at him, and after a while, she walked out with the tray.

Hearing the sound of footsteps going further and further away, Pei Yan opened his eyes, with despair but also a hint of hope in his eyes!
Pei Yan fell ill, but he didn't fall ill because of a cold, but because of a piece of news, a piece of news related to the lives of more than a hundred members of the Pei family.

The hometown in Qiantang sent an urgent letter, they didn't wait at the pier for the passenger ship heading south from the capital, let alone received Zhao Xi's family.

Zhao Xi's family has disappeared.

He has not reported this matter to the palace yet, the youngest son led people south in the name of offering sacrifices to the ancestors, hoping it was a false alarm.

West City, Ningrong Street.

Miss Feng's small courtyard.

Jia Lian walked in with two tired legs.

Seeing this, Ping'er, who was sitting outside embroidering, came to help him.

Jia Lian waved his hand, opened the curtain and went inside.

Wang Xifeng was resting on the soft bed at this time, when he saw him come in, he snorted, "Why do you look like you lost your soul? You don't have to come back."

Jia Lian said angrily, "That's my brother's wife."

Wang Xifeng immediately said: "What do you mean, it's not enough for brothers and daughters-in-law?"

Jia Lian smiled awkwardly, leaned over and sat down on the chair under the window, took the teacup from Ping'er, drank two or three sips, and then continued: "I'm going on a serious matter. The master said, now The project in the garden has been completed less than half, and all items should be prepared in advance.

No, he left Jia Rui to go to the south of the Yangtze River to hire teachers, buy girls, and buy musical instruments.My lord bade me go and tell him. "After that, a look of regret flashed in his eyes.

At the beginning of the month, the Jia family ushered in a happy event. Youshi married his second sister, You Erjie, to Jia Dairu's grandson, Jia Rui.

This made Jia Lian, who just came back from Jinling, very regretful. He met Second Sister You a few times at the beginning, and he had a good impression of her, and Jia Lian was sure that Second Sister You was also interested in him.

If Second Sister You was You Shi's own younger sister, he wouldn't dare to think anything wrong if he was killed, and he also learned from Jia Rong that You Shi had thought of letting Second Sister You become Jia Hu's concubine. But I didn't dare to mention it.

Jia Lian knew that he was not as good as Jia Hu, but he was the successor to the future title of the Rongguo Mansion, and Second Sister You did not wrong her by being her concubine.

It's a pity that before he could speak, he was sent to Jiangsu by Jia Hu.

I'm so sorry!

Seeing it, Wang Xifeng sneered and said, "You take care of your waistband, you've given up on it. It's my second brother's intention to let her marry, don't throw away your two ounces just for a moment's pleasure."

"puff"

Ping'er couldn't help laughing, and felt bad, so he quickly covered his mouth with a handkerchief, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.

Jia Lian blushed, and gave Ping'er a hard look, "Don't go prepare the bath water for me yet!"

Ping'er glanced at Wang Xifeng, then turned and left.

Jia Lian drank all the tea in the bowl, and said to Wang Xifeng: "On the way back to the mansion, I heard that the old Duke won another big battle. I don't know what happened to the second brother?"

Hearing what he said, Wang Xifeng sat up and asked, "Is there any news yet?"

Jia Lian shook his head: "Let's not talk about it, the old lady is going to Qingxu Temple to have a funeral ceremony in a few days, you should pay attention then."

Wang Xifeng nodded.

At this time, Ping'er came in and said to Jia Lian, "There is a message from the master to ask the second master to go to the big study."

After hearing this, Jia Lian hurriedly packed her clothes and went out.

(End of this chapter)