Red Mansion Huacai

Chapter 411: Burning the Grand View Garden

Tanchun took one last look at Jia Zheng, and had to be dragged out of the meeting room by Jia Lian. When they reached the outer room, they heard shouting and killing approaching, and Jia Lian let go of Tanchun and ran to the garden. Tanchun saw that Mrs. Xing looked hesitant, so she said, "Madam, let's go!"

Mrs. Xing thought to herself, if I leave like this, wouldn't the thousands of taels of treasure hidden in the room be given to the thieves for nothing? So she just said, "I'll take one thing and be back soon!"

He led Wang Shanbao and others to hurry home. Tanchun had no choice but to go into the garden first. At this time, Li Wan had already gone to the Bo's house. Tanchun looked up and saw a young man in brocade clothes standing on the rockery, holding a seven-bucket bow, with a frown on his face and a sword on his waist. It was his nephew Jia Lan.

Tanchun said, "Brother Lang, hurry up!"

Jia Lan said, "Aunt, please go first. I will hold off the thieves for a while and then go to my uncle's house later."

Tanchun nodded and hurried to find Xichun. At this time, Xichun had already packed her things and only had a small bag on her shoulder and a huge scroll in her hand. The two sisters said nothing more and hurried eastward.

At this time, the Jia family was in chaos. The maids and old women all retreated into the garden and headed for the Bo's mansion. Without the supervision of their master, the servants put up a little resistance and then scattered. Some ran into the garden, while others simply climbed over the wall and fled.

Tanchun first sent Xichun to the east corner gate, then turned back to look for Jia Lan. She saw that Jia Lan had already retreated from the rockery, and kept shooting arrows at the dozen thieves who had rushed into the garden, shouting and yelling, but did not dare to move forward. After all, Jia Lan was younger than him, so he shot more than a dozen arrows, but he was exhausted after injuring a few thieves.

The thief saw this and yelled, "That guy is exhausted, kill him!"

At this moment, Tanchun stepped forward, raised her hand and fired repeatedly, and after a few shots, she killed two thieves. The thieves were frightened and retreated quickly, shouting: "That girl's musket is sharp, get out of the way!"

Tanchun had run out of bullets and was in a state of panic when suddenly several guards rushed in from the east corner gate, firing arrows from their rapid-fire arrow boxes, and shot dead all the slow-running thieves. The subsequent thieves who rushed into the garden saw that the situation was not good, so they simply went to cause trouble elsewhere and did not dare to chase after them.

Ding Rusong grabbed Jia Lan and said, "Brother Lan, the master ordered me to take Brother Lan back to the Earl's Mansion."

This was Jia Lan's first time on the battlefield. His face turned pale, his lips trembled and he couldn't speak. He just nodded continuously.

Ding Rufeng also stood in front of Tanchun, protecting the two of them as they retreated all the way back to the Bo's Mansion.

At this time, the servants of the Jia family were leaderless, so the garden seemed to be in chaos, and everyone ran around and cried.

The robbers broke into the courtyards and searched for valuables, leaving the house in disarray. The maids and servants who had no time to escape were so scared that they cried and hid in the inner room. Some robbers saw beautiful maids and pulled them aside to rape them; some little maids jumped into the river to avoid being raped. Some servants were old and weak and could not escape, so they were killed by the robbers. Some could not bear the humiliation and fought with the robbers and were hacked to death. Some were chased by the robbers and had nowhere to hide, so they jumped into the well.

Mrs. Xing had just come out with a few maids carrying valuables when she ran into Jia Cong who was leading the thieves.

Jia Cong, holding a goose-feather knife in his hand, could not help but grin and ask, "Where are you going, Madam?"

Madam Xing was startled for a moment, then smiled awkwardly and said, "Brother Cong... we are all family, why do we need to fight and kill each other?"

Jia Qiang put away his knife and said with a smile, "Madam, you are right. Since he is a family member, my son is in trouble and needs money. I wonder if you can help him a little?"

"This... this is all my private property. The money is in the treasury. Why don't you go to the treasury and ask for it?"

Jia Cong said, "The storehouse wants it, and I also want the eldest lady's personal belongings."

As they were talking, two thieves came forward to take the box. Wang Shanbao struggled slightly, but the thieves slashed his left hand with their knives.

Wang Shanbao's wife suddenly fell to the ground crying.

Jia Cong cursed, "I hate you the most, you old hag. You took chicken feathers as a token of authority. You treated me harshly that day. It was probably because of you, the old hag, who was spreading rumors."

Mrs. Xing was so frightened when she saw this that she collapsed to the ground and lay on the box, crying loudly: "I have worked so hard to save some money, but you damn Cong, you want to kill me! You evil creature! You dared to collude with the robbers and do evil things, and even came to my house to kill people. You are worse than pigs and dogs! If you have the guts, just kill me, your stepmother!"

Jia Cong suddenly changed color, stepped forward and stabbed Madam Xing in the back. Madam Xing paused, looked back in disbelief, and then fell to the side and died. Jia Cong grinned and said, "I'm already rebelling, how can I care so much! You've said so much nonsense, I wanted to spare your life, but you're asking for death, so you can't blame me."

Just then, Jia Qiang arrived with his men. He took a look inside and was shocked, but smiled and said, "Brother Cong is very good at swordsmanship. I must learn from him in the future."

Jia Cong smiled complacently and said, "Let's occupy the storehouse first. All the good things are in the storehouse." He then waved his hand and the other thieves and the others rushed into the garden like a swarm of flying locusts.

A little later, Jia Cong, Jia Qiang and Jia Huan occupied the storeroom and were searching for valuables when they suddenly saw Li Gui supporting Jia Zheng and trembling as he came over and shouted, "Stop! The valuables are all in my room, don't mess with them!"

Jia Cong was too lazy to talk to Jia Zheng, so Jia Qiang followed Jia Cong and led people to search Jia Zheng's room. In a short while, three large boxes were found, and the thieves left happily. Only Jia Huan, with a gloomy face, was left looking at Jia Zheng and grinding his teeth.

Jia Zheng fainted on the ground and Li Gui and others woke him up crying.

After a long while, Jia Zheng forced his eyes open, which were full of tears. He sobbed, "It's over. Our Jia family has been ruined. All our descendants have become robbers. Our ancestors have lost face. I feel so sorry for our Jia family!"

After a pause, she wept again, "I am guilty. I shouldn't have raised such a bunch of beastly offspring and neglected to cultivate my moral character. As a result, my offspring became naughty and became robbers, and my family committed suicide."

Jia Huan said at this time: "If it weren't for my father's partiality to Baoyu, how could we have such a disaster today?"

Jia Zheng angrily said, "Is it my fault that I raised you? I only regret that I didn't strangle you to death when you were born!"

Jia Huan stepped forward with a sword in hand and said angrily, "From childhood to adulthood, you have always favored Baoyu in everything, just because he has a piece of tattered jade. The pretty maids can go to Baoyu, and all the food, clothing and other expenses can go to Baoyu. I am almost like you, but even if I am naughty, I am still better than Baoyu, right? Since you are heartless, don't blame me for being disloyal!"

Jia Zheng was struck by lightning when he heard this. He stammered, "I never thought Aunt Zhao would teach you to be like this! I regret it now. If I had known this would happen, I should have raised you under the Madam's wing. At the very least, you wouldn't be such a jerk now!"

Jia Huan sneered, "How dare you mention Madam? I'm not the third sister. If I really keep her with Madam, I'm afraid she'll get sick and die in a few years!"

Jia Zheng was not willing to listen and just cursed: "Damn Aunt Zhao, you have corrupted our good son!"

Jia Huan immediately became angry, stepped forward and kicked Jia Zheng to the ground, saying, "Don't scold my mother!"

Jia Zheng covered his chest and said, "Good, very good! My son beats me. What kind of family rule is this? God must be blind if such an unfilial son is not struck by lightning!"

Jia Huan shouted, "You are still stubborn even at this time, and you will never repent." After saying that, he stabbed Jia Zheng in the chest with his sword. Jia Zheng rolled on the ground for a long time, his eyes bulged, his limbs loosened, and he died. He spat at Jia Zheng's body, picked up the sword and left. When he arrived in the garden, he found Jia Qiang and Jia Cong and asked, "Have you seen Baoyu?"

They both said they hadn't seen him. Jia Qiang said, "Maybe he went to the Bo's Mansion."

Jia Huan narrowed his eyes and glanced eastward, saying, "Li Weijian's family is the richest. If we plunder them, it might be enough to support us for the rest of our lives."

Jia Cong frowned and said, "This... Your Excellency has previously ordered that you are not to harass the Jingling Marquis's residence."

Jia Huan said disapprovingly: "There are more than just our group of people rushing into the inner city. It's dark and windy at night. Who knows which group of people did this?"

Jia Qiang had long hated Li Weijian, so he exaggerated and said, "Huan'er is right. We have saved our face. I think Li Weijian will have nowhere to complain in the future."

After the three of them had finished their plan, they immediately gathered dozens of thieves and marched towards the East Corner Gate. The East Corner Gate that led to Huifang Garden was not big to begin with, and the thieves only needed to lift a battering ram to knock it open twice. They all knew that this was Li Caishen's home, so they were all excited.

He shouted, "Kill him! Li Caishen's family is very rich. It would be enough for us to plunder them for the rest of our lives."

Just as they reached the wooden bridge, a bright light suddenly shone down from the Yuechun Building. The thieves were blinded by the light and asked, "What is this?"

Jia Huan gritted his teeth and said, "It's just a trick, don't worry about it, just rush in and kill them!"

Jia Cong led the way, but Jia Qiang had some thoughts. He thought to himself, Li Weijian is the best at making things, how do you know there are no firearms hidden in his home? Then he quietly retreated to the back.

As expected, as soon as they arrived at Ningxi Pavilion, they saw two tongues of fire spurting out from the Yuechun Building, accompanied by a "crunch" sound, and Jia Cong, who was in the front, was torn into pieces without making a sound. Jia Huan hurriedly dodged, but was also caught in the flames, screaming and breaking his two legs.

The dozen or so thieves at the front cried out for their parents and died in an instant. The thieves behind were still rushing forward, and Jia Qiang's hair stood on end. He turned around and ran away with a cry of "Oh my God!"

Jia Qiang led the way and ran away. The thieves behind him reacted, dropped their weapons and ran back crying. But it was easy to come, but it was hard to go back. The two flames gathered together and blasted the east corner gate with holes everywhere. Jia Qiang saw that the situation was not good, so he simply hid in the bushes.

The grunting stopped for a while, and only three or two of the dozens of thieves who rushed in ran away. The rest were still breathing and wailing. Jia Qiang was so scared that he wet his pants, thinking to himself, is this a musket? Killing people is like mowing the grass, sweeping away a large area! Then, taking advantage of the beam of light not sweeping over, he rolled and crawled into the east corner gate, not caring to call the thieves, and ran away with his bag.

But upstairs in Yuechun Hotel, Li Weijian stopped turning the crank, and under the light, a six-barreled musket in front of him was emitting green smoke.

Jia Lan Na Han stepped forward and asked, "Killing people is like cutting wheat. Uncle, what is the name of this magic weapon?"

"Add... um, machine gun."

Tanchun, who was standing by, said absentmindedly, "If this thing is placed in the villa where my mother comes to visit..."

Li Weijian said hurriedly: "This thing is too heavy. We can only defend it in a dangerous place. It is really difficult to move it."

After a pause, Li Weijian said, "Brother Lan, please stop making trouble. Your mother is worried about you. Go to the back and talk to her."

Jia Lan agreed and went downstairs to look for Li Wan. Li Weijian said to Tanchun, "Third sister has been tired all night, why not go and have a rest."

Tanchun shook her head stubbornly: "The master and the first mistress haven't come out yet."

Li Weijian couldn't say some things directly, and thought to himself that if he didn't come out now, he might never come out.

Two servants were on the roof turning a searchlight used in a lighthouse, which was burning with whale oil, to illuminate everything. Suddenly, the Grand View Garden was ablaze, and no one knew whether it was a fire or a deliberate arson by thieves.

Tanchun said absentmindedly, "At home...it's all over!"

Li Weijian could only comfort her: "It's good to be alive. As long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood."

Tanchun shook her head and said, "Brother Lian has participated in the rebellion. I am afraid that things will not end well for our family in the future."

Li Weijian was speechless for a moment. He just sighed, raised his hand and gently patted Tanchun on the head.

After a while, the remaining servants of the Jia family rushed in from the east corner gate. Then Ding Rusong came to report: "Master, the servants of the Jia family said that the thieves swept through and set fire to the garden, and now they are rushing to various places." After a pause, he said: "There are still a few survivors at the east corner gate, one of whom seems to be Jia Huan."

Upon hearing this, Tanchun turned around and went downstairs. Li Weijian was worried and hurriedly led the guards to catch up. When they arrived near Ningxi Pavilion, they saw Jia Huan, whose legs were broken, crying and shouting "mother".

Seeing Tanchun approaching, Jia Huan wailed, "Third sister, hurry up, save me!"

Tanchun felt distressed and angry. She stepped forward to take a look and immediately felt like vomiting. She suppressed her anger and said, "Brother Huan is so stupid. How could he bring thieves to kill his own family?"

At this time, Li Weijian examined it and frowned, saying: "With such injuries, I'm afraid it can't be saved."

Upon hearing this, Jia Huan laughed bitterly, then suddenly his expression changed. He pointed at the sobbing Tanchun and said, "Don't pretend to mourn. You only care about Baoyu and the wife, and never care about me and mother. Who doesn't know your little thoughts? Oh, don't dream. The master has been stabbed to death by me. What kind of family can an orphan like you marry in the future? Hahaha, retribution, retribution!"

Tanchun was so shocked that she stopped crying and said, "You, you actually killed my father?"

"He didn't know right from wrong, and only knew how to pamper Baoyu. Mom died at his hands, and I'm avenging her!"

Tanchun was so angry that her eyes rolled up. Li Weijian was quick to hold her in his arms. He then found two maids and carried Tanchun to the backyard.

Jia Huan cursed loudly and then cried for help. Li Weijian just watched coldly as he died. Later, he led people to Rong Mansion and entered the Grand View Garden. They saw fire everywhere and there was no way to save him.

Several guards reported back one after another, saying, "The master of the Jia family was stabbed in the chest, and even the eldest wife is dead."

Li Weijian sighed, looked at the fire all around and said, "It really ended up like... a vast expanse of white, so clean."

(End of this chapter)