Red Mansion Taoist

Chapter 203 Departure
The battle for Dali City in Yunnan lasted for three months, and Dali City was still in the hands of King Beijing.

In the morning court that day, Jia Qiang stood at the head of the military attache wearing a python suit, listening to the officials reporting on matters that had nothing to do with him.

"Your Majesty, please recall Langhou. Langhou's war in Yunnan is not going well. In the long run, it will not only waste people and money, but also cost the lives of my sergeants!" An official stood up and started to announce.

Jia Qiang secretly shook her head. Even though the Langhou family was quite powerful in the court, they had not won a victory for three months. Instead, they suffered heavy losses. The Langhou family could no longer hold on.

At this time, various forces began to exert their strength. Some of them were really doing it for a big cause, but most of them were for profit.

Although Langhou will not be demoted like Niu Jizong when he is recalled, his official position will definitely be affected, and high-level official positions will be vacant.

In addition, the influence that Langhou occupies in the DPRK is also wanted by many forces.

Sure enough, one after another officials made suggestions to recall Lang Hou, especially the four princes and eight princes, who were even more active.

Emperor Jingwen was also heartbroken about the money in his inner treasury recently. He originally thought that eight million taels of silver seemed a lot, but for the Yunnan counter-insurgency battle, at most three million taels of silver would be enough.

But this delay is only three months. Let alone three million taels of silver, even if all the eight million taels of silver in hand are invested, it may not be enough to consume.

After Jia Qiang left the palace, he first went to Lin Mansion.

"Yu'er, go over and help Brother Qiang prepare things for the trip. He's a man with a careless heart!" Jia Min knew that the matter was a foregone conclusion and ordered Lin Daiyu.

"I will consider recalling Marquis Lang. If Marquis Lang is recalled, who do you think can replace him?" Emperor Jingwen waved his hand to stop the discussions among the officials and asked in a deep voice.

Although the Yunnan War did not go smoothly, all parties still wanted to recommend their own generals.

"How many troops and horses do you need?" Emperor Jingwen asked again.

Of course, Emperor Jingwen would not immediately decide to let Jia Qiang go to Yunnan at the court meeting, but there should be no objection from the Supreme Emperor if he wanted to come.

"There are no other generals in Daqian, why are you allowed to go to Yunnan!" Jia Min was also very dissatisfied, she complained.

After the court meeting was over, Jia Qiang was summoned by the Supreme Emperor.

But in his opinion, even the Supreme Emperor would not let Lang Hou stay in Yunnan anymore, and this war could not be delayed any longer.

"Flat body!" The Supreme Emperor waved his hands casually, and then waved to the side, and a young eunuch brought a stool to him.

"Do you have any opinions, ministers?" Emperor Jingwen asked, looking at the ministers in the court.

"The war in Yunnan is not going well. Yunnan is already under the jurisdiction of the nine provinces. In fact, I should have gone there from the beginning, but Niu Jizong took the lead.

Jia Qiang thanked him. He often came to Daming Palace and was used to the way the Supreme Emperor communicated with him. He would prepare a stool for him every time.

Jia Min and Lin Daiyu met him. Lin Ruhai was still busy with official duties and did not return home.

"Please rest assured, the Supreme Emperor, I will live up to the Holy Hope!" Jia Qiang thought that the Supreme Emperor was worried, so she bowed and assured.

There is no need to hide this matter. The news of him leading the army on the expedition will be spread as soon as the imperial decree arrives.

"Two guards in the Jingying and West Camps are enough!" Jia Qiang replied confidently.

He was also worried that his explanation would affect Jia Qiang's own safety by ensuring the life of King Beijing.

"Going to Yunnan, isn't that about fighting?" Lin Daiyu knew what was going on when she heard that she was going to Yunnan, and she suddenly became nervous and said.

Jia Qiang wanted to say no, but seeing Lin Daiyu's nervous and concerned look, she still let Lin Daiyu go. This would make Lin Daiyu feel at ease.

"Jia Hou, what do you think?" he asked Jia Qiang.

Even the ministers who had a gap with Jia Qiang would not deny Jia Qiang's ability to lead troops, and no ministers would stand up to oppose him.

"Master's wife, sister Lin, I have accepted the emperor's order and want to go to Yunnan!" Jia Qiang said to Jia Min and Lin Daiyu.

Jia Qiang looked at the Supreme Emperor with some confusion, wondering what the Supreme Emperor meant.

"I have met the Supreme Emperor!" Jia Qiang said with a salute.

"I can't guarantee it. We have no eyesight on the battlefield, so we can only try our best to ensure the safety of King Beijing!" Jia Qiang thought for a while and replied.

These are the ministers of Daqian who serve their own interests without regard to the interests of Daqian.

"I hope you don't kill Shui Rong, just bring him back!" The Supreme Emperor continued. He paused and continued: "Shui Rong's grandfather and father have fought with me on the battlefield, so we should give him to King Beijing." Leave the blood behind!"

Jia Qiang knew that the Supreme Emperor was indeed old. When people grow old, their hearts soften and they miss old feelings.

These two guards are his old subordinates, and they are also the only two guards in Daqian whose entire strength is made up of cavalry.

"It's not that I don't trust you. With you in Yunnan, solving the rebellion won't be a big problem!" The Supreme Emperor shook his head and said.

Looking at the casualty figures reported every day, Emperor Jingwen was like watching money flying away in strokes.

Rather than letting Lin Daiyu worry when the time comes, it would be better to make it clear in person.

"There is no need to pay special attention, your own safety is the most important thing!" the Supreme Emperor explained again.

There are not many opportunities for this kind of war. Generals need to grow from war. Once the war in Yunnan is resolved, titles and promotions will follow.

"I would like to go to Yunnan!" Jia Qiang stood up and bowed in reply.

You also know my strength. A mere trivial disturbance in Yunnan can be settled with a raise of hands! "Jia Qiang deliberately exaggerated herself.

Emperor Jingwen looked at the performance of his courtiers and felt disgust in his heart.

The so-called consideration requires discussion with the Supreme Emperor to obtain a unanimous opinion.

"Are you going to Yunnan to quell the rebellion?" the Supreme Emperor asked calmly.

"The imperial edict will be handed over to you soon. You should go back to the palace to make arrangements first!" the Supreme Emperor said with a final wave.

Jia Qiang returned to Jiahou Mansion and explained that she was leaving Beijing.

The entire Jiahou Mansion was busy, and under Lin Daiyu's command, they began to prepare items for the trip.

At this moment, the imperial edict also arrived, and Jia Qiang went to receive it. The edict asked him to lead the army to quell the rebellion and take over all the powers of Langhou.

When he put away the imperial edict and returned to the main hall, he was shocked to see five large boxes of items packed away.

"Sister Lin, I'm going to Yunnan, so there's no need to bring these winter clothes with me. I'll be back before the weather gets colder!" Jia Qiang put the three boxes of winter clothes aside with a wry smile.

"I know the weather in Yunnan is warm, but you still have to go back to Beijing. If it gets cold when you return to Beijing, bring it with you so you can change clothes at any time. These have been reduced again and again!" Lin Daiyu was a little dissatisfied that she had spent a lot of money. The mental preparation was rejected by Jia Qiang and she insisted.

"Okay, bring it, bring it all!" Jia Qiang immediately surrendered when she saw the persistence in Lin Daiyu's eyes and the expression that she dared to cry if she disobeyed.

The war was tense, and Jia Qiang did not stay long. A carriage came with five large boxes, and the driver of the carriage was Jia Gong.

After Jia Gong wore the 'Psychic Jade', his aura was no different from that of ordinary people, and he looked inconspicuous next to him.

On the way out of the city, Jia Qiang put away five large boxes. It was impossible for him to really carry five large boxes on the road. Leave the carriage to the Jingying sergeants at the inner city gate, and they will send it back to Jiahou Mansion.

Jia Qiang and Jia Gong mounted their war horses. After leaving the city, he summoned Jia Kingang, Jia Wei and Jia Jian.

Four summons protected him and he rode quickly to the west camp.

"In this humble position, please see Lord Jia!" An order was sent to the West Camp in advance. The two new commanders of the guards were waiting outside the gate of the West Camp. They immediately saluted Jia Qiang when they saw him.

"Blow the drum and gather the generals. Send troops in three quarters of an hour!" Jia Qiang sat on the white horse and issued the order in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty!" the two guards commanders responded loudly.

Soon the sound of war drums sounded in the West Camp, and within a quarter of an hour, everyone was organized.

Jia Qiang rode a white horse into the training ground. At this moment, ten thousand cavalry were lined up in the training ground.

They saw Jia Qiang, their eyes filled with fanaticism.

They have followed Jia Qiang for the longest time and have seen how powerful Jia Qiang is.

"Today, I have been ordered by the emperor to take you to Yunnan to suppress the rebellion. Let the rebels see the power of the Beijing camp, let them tremble when they hear your name, and make you a nightmare for the rebels!" Jia Qiang looked at herself. The old man said in a deep voice.

"Follow Lord Jia to the death!" Ten thousand soldiers shouted in unison.

"Let's go!" Jia Qiang waved her hand and ordered.

He led the way, followed by ten thousand men.

There is no need to bring food and grass with you this time. The cities and military camps along the way can replenish food and grass.

If there are infantry, it may happen that food and grass cannot be replenished in time, but 10,000 people, all cavalry, can move very fast.

After nearly twenty days, Jia Qiang approached Dali City with 10,000 troops.

At a place still fifty miles away from Dali City, he asked everyone to rest, feed the horses with fodder, and eat the people.

The rapid march along the way was really debilitating.

According to the correct way of leading an army according to the military manual, you should take a good rest for a few days before you can truly devote yourself to the battlefield.

But Jia Qiang's existence is to break the rules.

He didn't want these ten thousand people to attack the city at all, but just to clean up the battlefield.

He did not go to Langhou first. Based on his understanding of Beijing Wang Shuirong, Langhou's army would be indispensable for Beijing Wang Shuirong's spy.

It was noon. After eating, the 10,000 horses barely regained some energy.

"Show the flag and let the war horses march in small steps!" Jia Qiang issued the order.

A military attache conveyed his order, and ten thousand horses began to move.

Jia Jingang held an iron rod in his hand. This iron rod was twelve meters long and weighed eight thousand kilograms. It was made by Jia Qiang and a master craftsman from the Ministry of War. Two of these iron rods were made in total.

There is one Jia King Kong and one Jia Wei. Due to the use of a lot of special metals, the appearance of the two iron rods is not as exaggerated as the River Suppressing Sword, but their power is increased many times.

At this time, Jia Jingang and Jia Wei both took out the iron rods, which meant that the treasure Sharma was strong enough to support such a weight.

Jia Gong and Jia Jian followed behind Jia Qiang, holding divine bows.

At this moment, outside Dali City, Marquis Lang ordered two thousand people to attack the city. Four huge Lu Gong chariots were in front, and two battering rams were marching towards the city gate.

Lang Hou's level is good, and the military skills he inherited allow him to use a variety of large siege equipment when attacking a city.

The Xianglu bus is ten meters high, which is equivalent to the height of the wall.

It is covered with thick leather, which can withstand the attack of arrows. It is pushed by dozens of sergeants. Although the movement is slow, as long as it reaches the bottom of the city wall, it can go directly to the city wall through the interior of Lu Gong's chariot.

"Boom, boom, boom!" As soon as Lu Gong's car entered the 400 steps of the city wall, it was attacked by artillery on the city wall.

Although Lu Gong's car had leather to protect it from long-range attacks, it could not withstand the solid iron bullets fired by the artillery.

The supporting pillars of a Lu Gong chariot were broken, and the Lu Gong chariot fell down, crushing many sergeants.

Lang Hou's expression remained unchanged. Dali City has artillery, but in Yunnan and nearby areas, there are very few artillery arrangements, and it is not easy to mobilize them.

Currently, he can only use various large siege equipment to consume Dali City's ammunition.

He did not believe that the ammunition consumed by Dali City's artillery could be endless.

But three months have passed, and Dali City's artillery attacks have continued and have not stopped yet.

He has been waiting, waiting for the moment when Dali City's artillery ceases firing. As long as the artillery stops, his siege equipment can exert its maximum effect.

Although the siege equipment is huge, it is not difficult to make in areas with many trees like Yunnan.

At about three hundred steps, another Lu Gong car was destroyed.

The two thousand sergeants also lost nearly 200 people, and they continued to advance.

When we reached one hundred steps, there was only one Lu Gong chariot left. This Lu Gong chariot was particularly lucky. It was attacked by artillery many times without damaging the support column.

A hundred steps later, it was within the distance for the archers to show off their power.

Up and down the city wall, the archers on both sides fired arrows in unison, and arrows flew towards each other from above and below the city.

Continuous screams were heard, and even if they were protected, the arrows would penetrate the defense of these ordinary soldiers without armor.

At this distance, it's time for both sides to fight each other.

Another Eight Bull Crossbow appeared on the city wall. When a crossbow arrow was shot, any defense in front of the crossbow arrow would be broken.

Relatively speaking, there were very few casualties on the city wall. Except for the sergeants hiding behind Lu Gong's chariot and the battering ram, the other sergeants below the city were almost unobstructed and exposed to the attacks on the city wall.

The battering ram first advanced to about ten meters of the city gate. At this time, a lit oil can was thrown from the top of the city gate. The oil can fell on the battering ram, and the battering ram suddenly turned into a sea of ​​fire.

In the sea of ​​fire, the sergeants under the battering ram could no longer bear the heat of the flames. When they ran out from under the battering ram, they were lucky enough to escape the flames, but they did not escape the arrows on the wall.

On the other side, Sergeant Daqian finally rushed to the city. The only wheel of Lu Gong was damaged and stopped fifty steps away, useless.

These Daqian sergeants could only rely on ladders to forcibly climb the city.

The sergeants of Dali City smashed logs, stones, oil cans, gold juice, etc. towards the bottom of the city wall. Hundreds of corpses fell in front of the Dali city wall in a matter of seconds.

According to the military regulations of Daqian, you cannot retreat until the gold is paid. Even though these sergeants knew that there was no hope of attacking the city, they still kept trying.

(End of this chapter)