Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 309 Asking the Heir Qianyang Palace

Just after the first quarter of the morning, outside Xiande Gate.

A mighty and majestic cavalry appeared on the distant horizon.

The cavalry was in neat formation, with the knights on horseback carrying muskets and wearing goose-feather swords on their waists. Even when they were galloping, there was no sign of disorder.

With a sense of awe-inspiring sharpness.

The sound of hooves was like dull spring thunder and heart-wrenching war drums, shaking the earth.

Five miles outside Xiande Gate, five hundred elite ceremonial cavalrymen from the Five Military Camps had already been waiting quietly to welcome Jia Cong and other Liaodong soldiers back to the capital.

The emperor issued an imperial decree to march five miles outside the city to welcome the victorious army. There were strict rules of etiquette involved. Five miles outside the city meant five miles. Most of the time, even less than a mile was not allowed.

The one who led the five hundred ceremonial elite cavalry was Lin Zhen, the lieutenant general of the Fifth Army Camp. He was also a veteran in the army, but he was selected from the Wei Army Camp and had no experience as a general guarding the border...

At this moment, I saw the cavalry team in the distance galloping in an orderly manner. The horses were neither fast nor slow, and their demeanor was dignified. The hundreds of cavalrymen actually ran with the momentum of thousands of troops.

Lin Zhen's face changed involuntarily. He had been in the army for many years, so he was naturally knowledgeable. He couldn't help but admire that the strong army that had been tempered in the war against the Jurchens was indeed extraordinary.

When the hundreds of cavalrymen came closer, Lin Zhen saw a young man in the lead, riding an exceptionally majestic black horse. He had a face as beautiful as jade, slender shoulders and a straight back, and a heroic and dignified demeanor.

He immediately understood in his heart that this young man was the famous Jia family of Rong State in Liaodong...

……

The wide city gate arch of Xiande Gate has an excellent echo effect, making the already heavy sound of horse hooves even more majestic like thunder.

The huge sound wave swept out like a wave, immediately attracting the bustling crowd near Xian De.

Hundreds of yamen runners in Qinian Prefecture had been notified that a large number of cavalry would be entering the city at Xiande Gate today. They had already directed the crowd in advance and made way for the cavalry to enter the city.

Five hundred ceremonial cavalrymen guarded the front, followed by five hundred firearms cavalrymen who were changing shifts, and at the end there were more than ten miles of large carts filled with wounded soldiers and luggage.

These five hundred firearms soldiers followed Jia Cong in battles thousands of miles away, and were tempered in the blood and fire of the battle against the Jurchens. Each of them was strong and resolute, with his head nodded and his chest puffed out, exuding a brave and powerful aura.

The two armies combined had a force of thousands, and they marched like a surging wave, out of the Xiande Gate and into the Shenjing City!

The roar of horse hooves and the overwhelming presence of the army attracted the crowd near Xiande Gate who had been waiting there for a long time.

From time to time, the crowd exclaimed in surprise or excitement. After all, such a large-scale military formation was rare in the city of Shenjing.

Only a few knowledgeable people in the crowd could figure out the secret. This was because His Majesty specially led the army to boast about the merits to show that the bravery of this dynasty was no less than that of the previous one.

The five hundred and fifty ceremonial cavalry, wearing gilded phoenix-wing helmets and fish-scale gold-inlaid armor, shone brightly in the morning sun, as if divine soldiers were descending from heaven.

However, no matter how dazzling and majestic these ceremonial cavalrymen are, they cannot overshadow the young man who is leading the team with his graceful and unparalleled appearance.

Although it is already summer, the 500 firearms soldiers under Jia Cong are still fully equipped with armor. As the main general, he naturally cannot be taken lightly.

Yesterday, when they arrived at the military post fifty miles away, Jia Cong took a bath and washed off the dust on his body. Even his hair was done by Ai Li.

He changed into a heavy iron helmet, and wore only a moon-white thin cotton robe, with the green rhinoceros armor on the outside, looking simple and unrestrained.

Although there was a bloody battle on the battlefield, he still looked young when he returned, and he was as bright and calm as ever.

Under the sunlight at noon, he was as handsome as ever. Months of wind and frost in northern Liaoning had made him a little thinner, but he did not look rough at all, and his clean and elegant appearance remained unchanged.

Only the scimitar with a smooth and solemn shape, inserted diagonally on the saddle, exudes a strong sense of heroic and domineering spirit.

Even among a cavalry of thousands of people, Jia Cong's figure was still dazzling and very easy to be captured, a little too eye-catching.

On the second floor of the restaurant, a group of students from Qingshan Academy looked at the cavalry entering the city with longing and envy in their eyes. They were not envious of those big-headed cavalrymen, but of that young man.

"Haha, you see, the man in the middle is Jia Yuzhang. He was my classmate in Bingwen Academy. He was the top scorer in the imperial examination. Unfortunately, I only ranked last."

"Brother Chen, just be content. I failed the exam, and I will try again this year..."

"Who says that scholars can only talk about military affairs on paper? Jia Yuzhang is just like us. He was born with a background in classics and moral principles. He can also join the army and fight for merit on the battlefield. We all aspire to do the same..."

The common people who were watching the fun did not have as many thoughts as the scholars. They just felt that the army's entry into the city was so majestic that it was an eye-opener. They could brag about it when they returned.

The brave women in the crowd, some in plain clothes and skirts, looked up with their heads raised, some lifted the veils and gauze curtains to look for him, or stared through the windows of the carriage.

It turns out that the young man who was like a star among thousands of soldiers was really as the legend said, born so outstanding and proud...

……

Jia Cong's attention was suddenly attracted by the tender calls of Master Jia and General Jia from the tall building on the left.

Although there were many women who came to see him, they were generally not very bold. Only the girls in the brothel were so bold and daring.

When Jia Cong saw five or six women in gorgeous palace costumes waving colorful handkerchiefs and shouting at him on the gorgeous second floor facing the street, he felt a little embarrassed.

"Humph, I told you not to look around, my mother said these women are not decent!"

Ai Li, who was riding a horse beside Jia Cong, said with a rather dissatisfied look on her face.

"It's no big deal just to take a look."

"That won't work either. Are these women as pretty as me?"

As Ellie spoke, she lifted the veil of her hat in annoyance, with a questioning look in her bright eyes.

In the border towns of Liaodong, people of other ethnic groups came and went frequently, but people didn't think much of it.

But since leaving Liaodong, the further south she went, Ai Li found that she was quite different from the women in the Central Plains. She found a veil hat from somewhere and put it on, and Jia Cong persuaded her several times but she refused to take it off.

Ai Li has been in a bad mood these days. Jia Cong saw that what she said just now was a little strange, so he didn't want to tease her. He held back his laughter and said, "I won't watch it. I'll watch you from now on."

When the whole team passed Chunhe Street, Liu Ping was already waiting there. Jia Cong wrote to Liu Ping a month ago, asking him to arrange a courtyard for Ai Li's mother to stay in advance.

Jia Cong talked to Ai Li for a few words, and agreed to meet her at a time. Without saying much, he asked Liu Ping to pick up Ai Li and her daughter and settle them down...

After passing the North Parade Ground, they found eunuchs from the palace waiting there and led them into the palace to meet the emperor. It was also customary etiquette for the king to meet with his ministers who had made great military achievements after a great victory.

The 500 ceremonial cavalry and 500 firearms soldiers were brought back to the Five Army camp by Lieutenant General Lin Zhen.

Walking in the spacious and magnificent palace city, Jia Cong was already familiar with the route.

Although Liu Yongzheng and Deng Hui were brave generals at the border and were familiar with swordplay and bloodshed, this was their first time entering the palace and they were inevitably a little nervous.

……

Qianyang Palace.

When Jia Cong saw Emperor Jia Zhao again, he found that he seemed to have more gray hair on his temples.

Emperor Jia Zhao showed full recognition and praise for Jia Cong and other meritorious generals in the war against the Jurchens in Liaodong.

Liu Yongzheng and Deng Hui, who had never had the chance to see the emperor's face, were moved to tears of gratitude.

At the end, Emperor Jia Zhao said: "My dear ministers, you have served the country with loyalty and bravery, wiped out the Jurchens, and made great contributions. After the ceremony of presenting the captives, I will reward you all!"

When the eunuchs took Liu Yongzheng and Deng Hui away, Jia Cong was left alone in Qianyang Palace.

When Liu Yongzheng and Deng Hui left, they looked at Jia Cong with some envy. People are different, and the emperor only kept Jia Cong.

But it's normal to think about it. Jia Cong was born in the Jia family of Rongguo, which is much higher than theirs. Moreover, everyone at that time knew that the emperor always respected and tolerated Jia Cong.

After this battle, this young man will certainly become more popular. It is fate that we can serve together with him and make meritorious deeds, not to mention that both of us have received favors from Jia Cong.

……

Emperor Jia Zhao glanced at Jia Cong and saw that he had been in Liaodong for half a year. His face was weathered, he had become darker and thinner, and his eyes had become more gentle.

"I didn't expect that you are not only talented in writing, but also in military affairs. No wonder you are favored by others..."

Emperor Jia Zhao stopped talking halfway, as if he had not figured out how to continue, which made Jia Cong feel a little strange.

"I have said that the son of a noble family should not lose the spirit of bravery. You really did it and made great contributions in Liaodong. I was not wrong about you!"

Jia Cong quickly replied: "I just used the power of firearms and some luck. I don't deserve your praise."

"I have carefully read the battle report, so you don't have to be too modest. If you don't have careful thinking and the courage to make decisions, and only rely on luck, you will never achieve such a great victory!
You had made the greatest contribution in the battle of Yafu Pass, and the old heroes in the court had recommended you for the honor of being canonized with honors.

However, I feel that the battle of Yafu Pass has not yet been concluded, and it is not appropriate to confer an honor upon you. Otherwise, if you are a general who has just fought in his first battle, and you are suddenly awarded a noble title, I am afraid that the old people in Liaodong will feel dissatisfied and it will be difficult for them to unite.

Some people in the court think that I am too stingy with my title and too ungrateful…”

When Emperor Jiazhao finished speaking, there was a chill in his words, and even a hint of imperceptible loneliness.

"What do you think?"

When Jia Cong heard Emperor Jia Zhao suddenly ask this question, his heart skipped a beat. After a brief thought, he said:

"Your Majesty is the ruler of the world. What you think about and what you decide do not focus on one person or one thing, but on the overall situation.

In the face of the great trend of the world, personal success or failure, honor or disgrace is not worth mentioning.

Although I have not danced the elephant for many years, I dare not think of my own selfish desires and small favors, and disturb the wise planning of Your Majesty. "

After listening to Jia Cong's words, Emperor Jia Zhao's eyes lit up. Although Jia Cong did not say whether he was ungrateful because of his love for the title, he had made his feelings very clear.

"In the face of the great power of the world, personal success or failure, honor or disgrace is not worth mentioning. Well said! It is rare for you to have such considerations."

Emperor Jia Zhao looked at Jia Cong with complicated eyes and said, "I sometimes find it strange that at your age, you shouldn't have so many strange and clear actions and broad-minded thoughts.

But you just happen to have it, I don't know if it's because Liu Jing'an's teachings are too good, or if you really have innate wisdom!"

Jia Cong didn't dare to respond to the emperor's words, and the atmosphere suddenly became silent.

Emperor Jiazhao added: "This time you have pursued the enemy for thousands of miles, and Qing Yuanji has killed all the Jurchen leaders with blood and courage. The generals in Liaodong admire you, and the court and the outside world have praised you. There is no need to worry about your failure.

Since you have accomplished such a great feat, I will certainly not hesitate to reward you. However, the Imperial Clan Court sent a message yesterday saying that the Rongguo Mansion has submitted a letter to the Imperial Clan Court, requesting that you be made the heir of the Ningguo lineage... "

Jia Cong was stunned when he heard this, and then the hair on his back stood up.

He really knew nothing about this. He had just returned to the capital and went to the palace to meet the emperor. He had not even had time to return home.

I couldn't help but feel speechless. Those stupid teammates of the Jia family really took the world's affairs too lightly. No wonder they ended up in such a state.

The imperial edict that stripped Ningguo of his title stated that the title would be granted for three years, and that if the sons of Ningguo made military achievements within three years, they could have their title restored.

That was just a smokescreen thrown by the emperor. Could he not know that the young men from Ningguo were all playboys who could not go to the battlefield and achieve any military merit?
Asking himself to inherit Ningguo Mansion at this time really makes people in the world think they are fools. They don't understand how the emperor cannot tolerate any injustice.

He had taken great pains to weaken the power of the old nobles accumulated when he was the retired emperor. The four kings and eight dukes had just had one of their titles stripped off. Could he allow the old power to revive? If so, the emperor would have worked in vain.

As a result, he was asked such a fatal quick-answer question by the emperor when he entered the palace to meet the emperor with great merit.

So he replied without hesitation: "Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate!"

“The emperor has issued a decree that the title of nobility is precious and must be obtained through military merit. The title of nobility in Ningguo is conferred for three years. Only when the sons of Ningguo have made military merits can the title be restored.

If I had inherited Ningguo before I went to Liaodong, it would have been understandable.

Now I have made some minor contributions in Liaodong and have inherited the Ning State lineage. If I cause Ning State to be suspected of taking the honor by trickery, I will be guilty of deceiving the emperor. I dare not do it!"

Emperor Jia Zhao, who was staring at Jia Cong's expression from the upper seat, stiffened his expression slightly after hearing Jia Cong's words, and then relaxed.

(End of this chapter)