King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 683 Daiyu: I’m afraid the Thirteenth Master will misunderstand!

"Also, your life and death is not decided by me, but by the laws of the Ming Dynasty!"

"As for your subordinates, as long as they complete their labor service, I will set them free!"

The more than 2,000 captured soldiers, plus more than 2,000 young and strong men, were a very rare labor force that could be used to repair city walls and fortresses.

Zhu Jinghong had already planned to station troops in Kota Kinabalu, so the city defenses here not only needed to be repaired, but also further reinforced and expanded, which required a huge amount of labor.

Simmons was taken away, and Zhu Jinghong went ashore and, accompanied by a group of generals, inspected this city with a history of more than a hundred years.

The Spanish city was very different in style from that of the Ming Dynasty, and being in it almost made Zhu Jinghong think that he had returned to modern society.

Zhu Jinghong found it novel, and the generals present were even more curious, pointing and talking all the way.

"Why is there so much noise up ahead?"

As soon as Zhu Jinghong finished speaking, Xu Minglin, the admiral of the Zhejiang Navy, replied: "Your Highness, there are several empty warehouses ahead, guarding thousands of prisoners!"

The task of guarding the prisoners fell on the Zhejiang Navy, so Xu Minglin was the one who reported.

"Go and see!"

Soon, they arrived at the warehouse.

The warehouse has been expanded, and its length and width are about two hundred meters respectively. It does seem rather crowded to temporarily accommodate more than three thousand young and strong people.

It is so hot now that even drinking water is difficult to obtain. This living environment is so terrible that these pampered soldiers and gentlemen are cursing and complaining constantly.

"Your Highness, these ungrateful wolves are a waste of food. I think we should kill them all!" Wang Long suggested.

Wang Long was in charge of the previous attack. His subordinates suffered heavy losses and he hated these so-called prisoners of war, so he wanted to kill them to vent his anger.

After all, the Spaniards were foreigners, so Wang Long had no psychological burden in killing them.

"Keep it, it's still useful!" Zhu Jinghong said calmly.

The so-called usefulness, of course, does not only refer to building cities, but also requires consideration of diplomatic issues.

Defeating the Spaniards is not a big problem, but if all the young and strong soldiers are killed, the damage to Ming Dynasty's image in Europe will be a small matter, but it will be a big problem if the Spaniards hype up the "Ming Dynasty threat theory".

In a word, the Western powers have many colonies in the East. If they were provoked to attack them in groups, the court’s existing navy would be unable to resist.

So next, Zhu Jinghong will send people to contact Portugal, Britain, France and other countries to make it clear that this war against the West is out of self-defense and hopes that everyone will not panic too much.

"Pick out the craftsmen and those who are good at math!" Zhu Jinghong ordered.

He had already given instructions on this matter, and he was repeating it a second time to show his importance to the matter.

"I have already given the order!" Xu Minglin replied.

"Let's go, let's go somewhere else!"

Then they wandered around the city and arrived at Simmons' office half an hour later, where they found a barrel of wine in the wine cellar.

"This is a gift from the Spanish royal family. I think it's their fine wine. Since we've come across it today... how about you all drink a glass together?"

This was considered as an advance celebratory drink, and everyone was of course happy about it, so they immediately ordered someone to get the wine glasses.

The three admirals present, the large number of deputy generals who accompanied them, and the nearby guards, all got a share of this barrel of wine.

"The wine is fine in the luminescent cup, the pipa music is urging me to drink, don't laugh at me sleeping drunk on the battlefield, how many men have ever returned from the battles in history..."

After reciting this sentence, Zhu Jinghong raised his glass, glanced at everyone present and said, "Everyone, cheers to conquering this city!"

…………

In the next few days, Zhu Jinghong sent people to contact the Portuguese to express the Ming Dynasty's intention not to expand the war.

After expelling the Spaniards, they are willing to live in peace with Portugal and will transfer the main force of the navy back to the homeland in batches.

After hearing this, Andre felt much more at ease, and a temporary agreement was reached between the two countries.

Zhu Jinghong also petitioned the emperor again, asking him to send envoys to contact Britain, France and the Netherlands in India to stabilize them first before discussing other matters.

Of course, the report also mentioned the key ports in Luzon and the garrison in Kota Key.

The following days were spent on the restoration of Kota Key City, and a month passed in the wait.

During this period, according to Zhu Jinghong's order, a total of 10,000 soldiers were allocated from several coastal provinces and stationed in various ports and cities, completing the initial military occupation.

But to truly ensure safety, we need a strong navy, so expanding the navy is imperative, but that is a matter for later.

On the first day of March in the fifteenth year of Zhengtong, Zhu Jinghong received a reply from the emperor, who agreed to all his proposals and allowed him to return in accordance with the empress's order.

Zhu Jinghong left Beijing in April last year, and it has been eleven months now. Now that the naval battle is over and the situation has stabilized, it is indeed time for him to return.

The general stationed in Kota Keyi was a deputy general of the Zhejiang Navy. He had two commanders under him, one in charge of the garrison fleet and the other in charge of the garrison infantry.

After all matters were arranged, on the fifth day of March, Zhu Jinghong led the main force of the navy back home.

…………

When Zhu Jinghong returned, his first stop was Tongzhou, where the Zhejiang Navy was stationed.

On his way back, the three major navies separated. The Liaodong Navy went north back to its base, while the Zhejiang Navy went straight to Hangzhou.

On March 15th, Zhu Jinghong arrived in Tongzhou. He had just turned twenty years old that day.

After resting for a day in Tongzhou, he led his guards to Yingtian. His family had returned to Yingtian from Quanzhou two months ago to wait for him.

However, just after crossing the Yangtze River, Zhu Jinghong changed his mind and headed straight for Suzhou.

Suzhou is a world-famous prosperous place, but Zhu Jinghong did not go there to experience its prosperity, but to meet an old friend.

When he went to meet Daiyu, he was very low-key. He did not use any ceremonial guards. He only brought fifty close guards including the Dragon Guards, plus two hundred guards from the Flag Bearer Guards.

Because of an accident that happened a few years ago, the soldiers who accompanied him to protect him this time were all wearing armor and carrying all the weapons and equipment so that they could protect Zhu Jinghong from any invading enemy.

After crossing the river, we arrived in Changzhou. It took about a day and a half to reach Suzhou. It was already noon when we arrived.

At this time, Daiyu was sitting alone in front of the thatched cottage, quietly looking at the bamboo forest not far away, where her father's grave was.

After looking for a while, Daiyu turned her gaze to the coffee table on the side, where there was a letter and a fine guqin.

The letter was written by Jia Baoyu, and the zither was also sent by this guy. The things were passed down by servants one by one and were delivered to her two days ago.

Jia Baoyu, a familiar stranger, this is Daiyu's current impression of him.

The contents of the letters were very simple. One was to express concern about Daiyu's recent situation, and the other was to request to be able to burn incense for her uncle.

Although the letter was received two days ago, Daiyu still hadn't figured out how to reply. She actually didn't want to have anything to do with Jia Baoyu.

All along, in order to take care of Jia Baoyu's heart, Daiyu has politely declined all his proposals, but today she feels that she should not do so anymore.

Having made up her mind, Daiyu immediately stood up and walked into the house, picked up a pen and started writing on the letter paper.

After a few breaths, Daiyu finished writing, then called Zijuan and asked her to give the letter to Jia Baoyu.

Seeing that Daiyu was not right today, Zijuan asked, "What did the young lady say?" Daiyu replied, "I told him not to come to me again, so as not to attract criticism from others!"

Zijuan knew that Jia Baoyu was a good man, so she couldn't help but sympathize with him at this moment.

"This...isn't it too hurtful to him?" Zijuan asked.

"If you don't make a decision when you should, you will suffer the consequences... I am doing this for his own good!" Daiyu sighed.

Zijuan nodded. She understood this principle, so she knew she had to do this.

"Return the piano to him too?"

"Ok!"

"Okay... I'll go right away!"

During these two days, in order to see Daiyu, Jia Baoyu waited outside the gate of the Lin family's thatched cottage every day. He tried to break in several times but was stopped by the Lin family.

Lin Yao even resorted to physical combat and punched this nominal cousin a few times.

A few breaths later, Zijuan arrived outside the Lin family's thatched cottage, and as expected, she saw Jia Baoyu and several servants accompanying him under a big tree not far away.

At this moment, Jia Baoyu looked tired and sat dejected under the tree. When he saw Zijuan coming, he perked up.

But when he saw the guqin that was brought back, Jia Baoyu was no longer calm.

Standing up and looking at Zijuan approaching, Jia Baoyu hurriedly asked: "Sister Zijuan, this thing..."

"The girl asked me to return it to the Second Master, and she also wrote him a letter in reply!"

Jia Baoyu ignored the guqin and directly snatched the letter, spread it out and read it carefully.

In order to prevent Jia Baoyu from having any misunderstanding, this letter was written orally.

"Baoyu, don't come to see me again in the future. I'm afraid that Master Thirteen will misunderstand..."

There were three sentences in the letter, and Daiyu's last sentence directly broke Jia Baoyu's defense.

He tore up the letter, staggered to his knees, and then looked up to the sky and shouted, "No... No..."

Then, Jia Baoyu looked towards the Lin family cottage, climbed over desperately, and then shouted: "Sister Lin, Sister Lin... I have something to say, I have something to tell you!"

"Second Master, Second Master..."

When several servants saw this, they immediately stepped forward to stop him to prevent their young master from being too embarrassed.

Being dragged back by the servants, Jia Baoyu was completely disheartened and looked like a wooden man.

Zijuan felt extremely distressed watching this scene and could only sigh helplessly.

However, just as Jia Baoyu was taken away by the servants, Zijuan heard a series of horse hoof sounds. A few breaths later, she saw a group of cavalrymen rushing towards her at the corner of the green path.

Zijuan was so frightened that she quickly retreated, and the servants guarding the gate of the Lin family were all pale and terrified.

After a few more breaths, this team of more than fifty cavalrymen arrived at the gate of the Lin family. At this moment, the head of the Lin family, Lin Yao, had already come out to greet them.

Although he was just a teenager, Lin Yao suppressed his fear and asked the visitor what he wanted.

This team of knights are all strong and well-equipped with shiny armor. It is obvious that they have extraordinary origins and profound backgrounds.

"The Thirteenth Master is coming to visit, you all should quickly prepare to welcome him!"

The captain in charge only said this, and then ordered his men to spread out their defenses. The small thatched cottage of the Lin family was soon surrounded.

Their team was responsible for exploring the way, and Zhu Jinghong followed the large group behind, and the distance between the two was only five miles.

When Zhu Jinghong approached, Daiyu also knew that he was coming.

At this moment, Daiyu was both surprised and delighted, so she asked Zijuan to help her wash and dress up, but she didn't bother with anything else, after all, she was still in mourning for her father.

A few minutes later, Zhu Jinghong himself arrived at the Lin family thatched cottage, and the area within thirty feet around it was all on strict guard by the guards.

This was the first time Lin Yao met Zhu Jinghong, and he discovered that the mighty King Xiang was very different from what he had imagined.

For example, in his impression, the prince should wear a dragon robe and a winged hat as required by the etiquette, and be surrounded by a number of ceremonial guards, eunuchs, and maids...

But today, Zhu Jinghong was only accompanied by his guards. He wore a black or dark blue round-necked robe, with his hair tied up in a bun with a net scarf on his head.

"Are you the heir of the Lin family?"

Looking at the soles of his feet that appeared before him, Lin Yao quickly put away his messy thoughts, lowered his head and replied: "Your Highness, I am Lin Yao, loved by the elder sister of the Meng family, and chosen by your father as his adopted son!"

Although Lin Yao was extremely nervous, his clear articulation made Zhu Jinghong look up to him.

"Since you have been entrusted with the task, you must do your best!" Zhu Jinghong instructed.

"Your Highness's teachings, I will definitely remember them!"

"Get up!" Zhu Jinghong said calmly.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

When Lin Yao stood up, Zhu Jinghong had already walked into the gate and saw Daiyu through the door.

Daiyu was seen in green, standing inside the door with a loving look in her eyes, like a wife waiting for her husband to return.

Lin Yao wanted to follow in, but Lu Yuxin stopped him.

The interior of the Lin family cottage has been cleared out, and there is no one else except Daiyu and Zijuan. It is certainly impossible to let Lin Yao in at this moment, even though he is the owner of the place.

Lin Yao is a very smart man. He had heard before that Zhu Jinghong was interested in his sister. The current situation made him certain of many things.

While he was thinking, Lu Yuxin took the initiative to close the door, just to create a private environment for Zhu Jinghong.

Zhu Jinghong walked into the courtyard. As he got closer to Daiyu, he noticed that her eyes were wet.

Daiyu shed tears, and they were indeed for Zhu Jinghong, and she had no idea how many times she had shed tears in the past two years.

But this time she was happy, happy that Zhu Jinghong was safe, and even happier that he came!
At this moment, standing one step away from Daiyu, Zhu Jinghong had a lot to say in his heart, but in the end he only said one sentence: "Lin girl, long time no see!"

Picking up her handkerchief and wiping her tears, Daiyu bowed and said, "Greetings, Master Thirteen!"

Zhu Jinghong immediately reached out his hand, held Daiyu up, and said, "No need to be polite. Today we are not talking about hierarchy, we are just reminiscing about the past!"

This statement was indeed a bit explicit. It might be okay to say it in private, but there was Zijuan next to them!
Zijuan also felt embarrassed at this time, so she immediately said: "Miss, I...I'll go make tea!"

"Master Thirteen, I'm leaving now!"

After saying this, Zijuan quickly slipped away, leaving only Zhu Jinghong and Daiyu in the courtyard.

He missed each other terribly when they weren't together, but he didn't know what to talk to each other when they met, so at this moment, neither of them said a word.

Of course, they were both looking at each other, and they only had eyes for each other at this moment.

After a while, looking at Zhu Jinghong who had become much darker, Daiyu said with heartache: "You have suffered a lot these past few months, and you are now tanned!"

(End of this chapter)