The Red Mansions

Chapter 1352 Chen Xiao: Your story with the princess has been revealed

Chapter 1352 Chen Xiao: The story between you and the princess has been revealed...

North Korea, Wang Jing

As King Yi Ho of Joseon committed suicide by taking poison in the ancestral hall of all previous kings of Joseon, outside the hall, Joseon civil and military officials wailed bitterly, and the cries could be heard throughout the palace.

Accompanied by bursts of shouts and cries of killing, a large number of elite Jurchen soldiers, led by Oboi, holding swords, killed the Korean soldiers all the way to the bluestone jade steps before entering the palace.

Wherever they passed, the soldiers and horses were led by Oboi, who killed people along the way.

Shouts and screams rose one after another, quickly echoing in the palace, casting a gloomy look over the palace.

At this moment, dazzling red blood was flowing, extending from the palace gate to the front of the ancestral hall. Many of Zhou Fang's elite Nuzhen soldiers held steel knives and rushed into the front of the palace like a tide.

Under his thick eyebrows, Aobai's fierce eyes scanned the civil and military officials in front of the palace and said, "What are you doing here, a bunch of treacherous people, howling?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the people around stopped crying.

Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials of Korea raised their heads and looked at Oboi, with fear in their eyes.

The Jurchens are coming!

This was not the first time that Korean civil and military officials had dealt with the Jurchens.

Aobai held the sword at his waist and looked up at Li Hao, who was covered with a white cloth on the door. His eyes were cold and he snorted coldly, saying, "So you committed suicide out of fear of punishment. Do you regret rebelling against the Qing Dynasty now?"

As he spoke, he cast his eyes on the kneeling Korean civil and military officials and shouted, "Where is the person in charge here?"

At this time, a court official stepped out from among the civil and military officials. It was Choi Gwang-beom, the Left State Councillor of Joseon. His old voice sounded, saying, "I, Choi Gwang-beom, the State Councillor of Joseon, have passed away. The soldiers and civilians in the Joseon city only hope that the general will have mercy on us and give the people in the city a way out."

Aobai snorted coldly and shouted: "Now that the army is approaching and has entered the city, it's too late for you to come and beg for surrender!"

When the Korean civil and military officials heard this, their faces changed.

Aobai said in a cold voice, turned around and ordered the horseman beside him, and said in a deep voice: "Catch them all and keep them well!"

As the horsemen behind them responded, a large number of elite Jurchen bannermen, as fierce as wolves and tigers, approached the ministers and began to hold down the arms of the Korean civil and military officials.

Aobai nodded and said, "Take over the imperial city, seal the treasury, and hunt down the Korean royal family!"

Since this is a war of conquest, there will be no hiding it anymore, and the veil of warmth and affection between the two countries should be torn off.

The surrounding followers responded in unison, and then went about their business.

Just as Aobai was busy arranging officers and soldiers, a guard came running from a distance with a few quick steps, his face excited, and said: "General, Prince Ying has entered the city."

Aobai said: "Come, come with me to welcome him."

At this moment, in the entire Wangjing city, looking from a high place, on the twelve streets crisscrossing, Korean soldiers were still fighting with the elite Eight Banners of the Qing army, and shouts of killing could be heard one after another.

The journey was not all smooth sailing. Although they encountered some obstacles, after a fight, many soldiers screamed and died.

At this moment, Ajige was riding on a horse with a tuft of black mane on its neck, holding the reins in his hands, with an imposing manner like a mountain, and a hint of coldness permeated his broad and bearded face.

Although we have benefited from the Red Cannon's firepower in the past few days, it does not mean that there have been no casualties.

Ajige's face was as gloomy as iron, and he shouted loudly: "Seal off the four city gates and eliminate the remaining enemies in the city!"

The elite soldiers of the Eight Banners following behind him responded, holding sabers in their hands, and spread out across the street like stars. Then the sounds of fighting and screams rang out.

Ajige waved his hand, made a prompt decision, and said in a deep voice: "Enter the palace!"

This royal capital now belongs to his Qing Dynasty.

The Kingdom of Korea wanted to rebel again, but it could no longer do so.

Afterwards, Ajige led a large number of elite soldiers and entered the palace from the palace gate. Along the way, sporadic sounds of fighting could still be heard.

At this moment, the vermilion palace walls of Zhou Fang stood tall, the palaces were connected in groups, and the vermilion beams and pillars were stained with blood, which was almost indistinguishable from the blood flowing on the bluestone floor.

The bloody smell of Zhou Fang was pungent and unpleasant.

"I remember that the palace was still a bit dilapidated when I came here last time. After not seeing it for a while, the Li Dynasty changed the door lintel."

Ajige's rough and loud voice rang out from the long palace road in the hall, and the flag on the city gate tower was replaced by several flagmen, and a dragon flag was hung up, fluttering in the wind.

"Replace this plaque of respect, loyalty and sincerity."

While Ajige was speaking, several horses' hooves clattered across the bluestone road and arrived in front of the hall.

He did not draw his bow and shoot arrows like Li Zicheng did, but stopped for a moment.

After walking for a while, he looked up and saw Aobai with his battle robe covered in blood.

Aobai's face was full of excitement and he was filled with joy.

Oboi walked a few steps quickly, raised his eyes to look at Ajige, and said with a folded hand: "Your Majesty, the ministers of the Kingdom of Korea have been escorted to the West Palace, waiting for your order."

Ajige was on his horse, holding a rein, and said, "First detain him, and wait for the order from Shengjing, and then make a decision."

Aobai responded loudly, then laughed and said, "My Lord, the capital has been broken."

Ajige said: "Yes, the city has been captured for more than half a month, so it is not delayed too long."

Although he had the help of the Red Cannon, it still took Ajige a lot of effort.

As they were talking, Oboi welcomed Ajige into the hall and came to the Mingtang, a golden-walled hall inscribed with the imperial seal of the first Korean monarch.

Ajige was not polite at all. He took a few quick steps and sat down on the throne covered with a dark red and golden mattress.

If it were someone else, they would not dare to do such an "usurpative" act, but Ajige was the brother of Regent Dorgon, so no one dared to say anything.

Aobai said: "Your Majesty, the people in the capital still hate our Qing Dynasty. How do you think we should deal with it?"

"If the Qing Dynasty wants to bring Korea under its rule, we should use both kindness and force. We will post a notice later to restrain the soldiers and stop killing people indiscriminately in the city." Ajige said loudly with a stern look on his face.

When they conquered cities previously, the Jurchens always adopted the strategy of burning and killing. However, now that they have captured the capital of Joseon, they have withdrawn their forces and adopted a strategy of appeasement.

This is not unexpected.

Because the purpose was to intimidate the Korean side and shake their will to resist, but after really taking the royal capital, in order to win the hearts of the Koreans, prepare for the future of the Eight Banners of Korea.

Oboi bowed and said yes, then ordered the groom beside him to leave.

Ajige nodded, sat down, and told the groom to prepare the meal.

Afterwards, the elite troops of the Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty began to suppress sporadic resistance in the city until night fell and the lights came on.

At this moment, vermilion lanterns were hung on the eaves of the corridor outside the hall, and clusters of orange candlelight shone on the bluestone slabs. Ajige and Oboi sat down in the yamen and began to chat across an apricot-yellow chessboard.

Aobai said, "Your Highness, now that Wangjing has been conquered, there are still several roads to the south of Korea. A large number of soldiers and horses have gathered to support the king and are heading towards Wangjing. According to the report from the guards just now, before the army surrounded the city, Li Hao had already asked his children to take their gold and silver and leave Wangjing City and go to Jeolla Province."

The destruction of the royal capital does not mean the end of Joseon. For example, if Lee Ho's children flee to southern Joseon, they can still call on the local people and soldiers to resist the conquest of the Jurchens.

Not to mention, the Han court troops came to support.

Ajige nodded and said, "Rest for two days, reorganize the army, and send troops to defeat the Korean troops. The Korean troops are weak, and our Eight Banners are elite, so they can be defeated in a snap."

Aobai responded and instructed the groom beside him to pass on the message.

Ajige said: "Also, report the victory to Shengjing immediately."

But after Ajige finished speaking, he suddenly felt a little dazed.

This scene is vaguely familiar.

In fact, it was a re-enactment of the scene when Ajige and Oboi conquered Edo, Japan.

As they talked, they sat down in the hall.

Afterwards, a large number of Qing troops began to wipe out the remaining resisting soldiers and generals throughout the entire Wangjing City.

……

……

Tianjin Wei, government office

Jia Heng was still unaware of the shocking changes that had taken place in the capital of the Joseon Dynasty. At this moment, accompanied by local military and political leaders of Tianjin, he was reviewing the troops of Tianjin.

The overall combat capability of Tianjin Wei was pretty good, and the military appearance and discipline were acceptable, so there was no incident of killing to establish authority.

After everything was done, Jia Heng sat down in the Wei Si Yamen, picked up a map and began to read it.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong sat on a table not far away, also holding a book in his hand, secretly watching the young man in the python robe, sometimes looking dazed, sometimes with a focused gaze.

Jia Heng turned around, feeling somewhat speechless, and asked, "My Lord, is there something wrong?"

Why was Shui Rong peeking at him for no reason?

If this continues, he will have to get back at Xueer when he returns.

Shui Rong looked a little unnatural, and explained: "Zi Yu, in the past few days, the official and private shipyards in Tianjin City have begun to manufacture warships one after another. Recently, they have collected more than 30 ships."

Jia Heng said: "In the past few days, we have stepped up efforts to collect ships and equip the entire army. In addition, we have forcibly requisitioned merchants in the city who have private ships to supply the army."

At this time, the government's power must be demonstrated.

Shui Rong nodded and told the clerk accompanying him to take note of the matter.

At this time, a Jinyifu guard wearing a flying fish uniform and an embroidered spring sword hanging from his waist entered the hall outside the military tent and said, "Commander-in-chief, the Jiangnan Navy has arrived at Tianjin Port."

Prince Beijing Shui Rong was delighted and asked, "Has the Jiangnan navy arrived?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Your Majesty, the reinforcements have arrived, let's go and welcome them together."

As they were talking, Jia Heng and Beijing Prince Shui Rong, led a group of Jinyi Guards and headed towards the port to meet them.

On the vast blue sea, there were ships with tall masts sailing against the wind and waves, and on the decks of the ships, soldiers holding weapons were moving back and forth.

After a while, the admiral of the Jiangnan Navy, Wei Che, led a group of generals and came quickly. He clasped his fists and said, "I greet the Duke of Weiguo, Your Majesty."

Jia Heng said nothing more. He took a few quick steps, extended his hand to support him, and said with a chuckle, "General Wei and all the other generals, please stand up quickly."

Everyone thanked him and stood up.

Jia Heng looked at Wei Che and asked, "General Wei, how many naval forces have been transferred from Jiangnan this time?"

Although it has been mentioned in the previous military order, the actual number of troops still needs to be confirmed at this moment.

Wei Che nodded and said in a deep voice, "Since receiving the secret order from the Military Affairs Council, the six battalions of the Jiangnan Navy have been mobilized, and the elite sailors have been selected. There are 326 warships, 98 tower ships, and 56,000 soldiers and horses, all equipped with red cannons. All the fire guns of the Jiangnan Navy have been pulled on board. Please review them, Duke Weiguo."

The Jiangnan Navy was stationed in Chongmingsha. Due to military expenditure constraints, there were actually about 100,000 people including some logistical personnel.

Jia Heng said: "For this long voyage, the relevant artillery and ammunition should be fully prepared and head straight for Shengjing. The military supplies and baggage should be provided by Tianjin Wei and Hebei to avoid any worries."

Naturally, he would not rely solely on the navy. Not long ago, he transferred 35,000 troops from Hebei to attack cities and capture strongholds.

In this way, the total number of land and sea troops is nearly 100,000, which is enough to deal with the war in Korea.

But it was not a direct aid to Korea. The Qing Dynasty’s top leaders needed to clean up the old forces in Korea, and then the Han Dynasty would pick up the ready-made ones.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he led a group of soldiers and entered Tianjin City without delay.

At this moment, in the Acropolis government office——

Jia Heng sat down at a lacquered wooden table, looked at the generals below, and said, "You have come from afar, you can have lunch first."

Everyone said they didn't dare.

Then, all the naval officers present raised their wine cups, looked at the young man in the python robe, and waited to hear what he had to say.

Jia Heng said: "This time, the main force is the navy. You are all veterans. I won't say much else. This time we will attack the Jurchen Shengjing directly to measure the quality of the Jurchens."

"Don't worry, Duke Weiguo. This is not the first time that our Jiangnan Navy has fought against the Eight Banners of the Jurchens." At this time, a naval officer spoke up.

Afterwards, the soldiers and generals toasted each other and the atmosphere was very lively.

Over the years, many of the Jiangnan Navy were Jia Heng's students and former officials, such as Wei Che, who was selected by Jia Heng, and there were countless other military generals.

After the generals left, Jia Heng returned to the hall in the backyard to rest and ponder the strategy of defeating the enemy. Just as he sat down, Beijing Prince Shui Rong followed him and said, "Zi Yu, instead of rushing to help Korea directly, you led the army to attack Shengjing. Is there another reason?"

If at this time, Prince Beijing Shui Rong still cannot see clearly what Jia Heng's intentions are, then all his years of experience in the Military Affairs Office would have been in vain.

While the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits; while the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole is behind.

This was to take advantage of the time when Korea was invaded by the Jurchens to make Korea a part of the Han Dynasty and bring it under its rule.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said loudly: "Besieging Wei to save Zhao is much better than rushing to help directly. Besides, North Korea's own problems must be solved by North Korea itself."

Well, this sentence of his will probably be selected as one of the famous quotes of politicians in the future, discussing how big countries betray their allies?

Chuanbao said this sentence with more meaning.

Beijing Prince Shui Rong said thoughtfully: "What Zi Yu said is true."

As expected, Korea was ignored as a vassal state and its territory and population were taken over.

Jia Heng said: "The Jurchens have also recently been equipped with red cannons. Their firepower is not inferior to ours. It will not be easy to break through Shengjing."

The road from Yingkou to Shenyang is indeed the best route to attack Shengjing.

But the Jurchens must have set up a fortress here.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong's sword-like brows flashed with a fierce look, and he asked, "Zi Yu, when will the troops be dispatched?"

Jia Heng said: "After the drills are completed in the next few days and the troops have coordinated their marching drills, we will set off."

In the past few days, the navy under his command has been organized and trained to prepare for the upcoming exercises.

……

……

The Golden Crow rises in the east and the Jade Rabbit sets in the west. Time flies, almost passing like running water. Three days have passed without you noticing.

During the three days, Jia Heng inspected the boats and navy, talked with the main officers of the newly trained Tianjin Navy and the Jiangnan Navy, and went deep into the frontline officers and soldiers.

When they returned to the hall, Beijing Prince Shui Rong came forward and said, "Zi Yu, the first batch of military equipment escorted by the King of Chu has arrived."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "First, equip the navy in Tianjin and conduct a navy exercise in the near future. Once the exercise is completed, send troops from Gaizhou."

The so-called Gaizhou is Yingkou in later generations. This place is on the sea, and the Jurchens set up artillery batteries and fortresses here to guard against possible attacks from the sea by the Han Dynasty.

While the two were discussing, they heard the Jinyifu guards outside enter the hall and say, "Duke Weiguo, Princess Le'an has arrived at Tianjinwei."

It turned out that after Chen Xiao received the order from Emperor Chongping, he led a group of Jinyifu guards and rushed to Tianjin Wei without stopping.

Jia Heng looked at Beijing Prince Shui Rong who was standing beside him and said softly, "Your Highness, please wait here. I will go out of the city to meet him."

Shui Rong was about to get up and go with them, but then he felt it was inappropriate. He just felt a little strange in his heart.

Why did Princess Le'an come here for no reason? She is just a woman, why would she join in the fun?

As he spoke, Jia Heng walked away from Tianjin City.

As he came closer, Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at the beautiful woman who looked exhausted. The beautiful woman, who was originally in high spirits, now had a hint of weariness between her brows.

Jia Heng felt a little pity in his heart and said, "Xiaoxiao, you are here."

Chen Xiao dismounted and threw the reins to the attendant. He looked at Jia Heng with a complaining tone and said, "Why did you call me here for no reason?"

Didn’t we tell her earlier to stay at home and watch over the place to prevent any accidents? Now you’re asking her to come over again.

Jia Heng said: "The situation here is complicated, and I can't leave you."

It’s not that I really need Xiaoxiao to accompany me when I can’t sleep alone at night, but one person can see the short side, while two people can see the long side.

Besides, he has to be on guard against Prince Beijing Shui Rong, so it would be better to let Xiaoxiao come over.

Chen Xiao and Jia Heng rode side by side into the city gate and asked, "What's the situation in North Korea?"

Jia Heng said: "The Jurchens sent a large force to besiege the capital city. The Korean army and civilians are resisting. There has been no news in the past two days."

Chen Xiao looked thoughtful.

Jia Heng's eyes flickered under his sword-like brows, and he lowered his voice and said, "Is everything okay at home?"

Chen Xiao snorted and said, "Everything is fine. Xianning and Miaoyu are both at home taking care of their pregnancies. By the way, it seems that Langge's mother is also pregnant."

Jia Heng: "..."

He had always thought that Li Wan was a fertile woman, and unexpectedly, she became pregnant.

"By the way, there is another one who has a child. Your elder sister Yuanchun is also pregnant." Chen Xiao said softly with a calm and beautiful face under her curved eyebrows.

There were so many people around, but her stomach didn't show any movement. Of course, it wasn't suitable to have a baby now.

Jia Heng: "..."

After thinking for a while, he said, "It's time for her to have a child. She's not young anymore."

Yuanchun is indeed quite old, and when he is not around, he should have a child around to talk to.

Chen Xiao said softly, "Sister Feng is helping to cover it up, and I don't know how to tell your old lady in the West Mansion."

Jia Heng thought for a moment and whispered, "Is Sister Feng okay?"

Chen Xiao said in a complicated tone: "Sister Feng hasn't said anything yet. It seems that she has been too busy and there is no movement in her stomach."

I had been obsessed with it before, but in the end, it didn't happen.

Jia Heng nodded and thought to himself that in the original novel, it was not easy for Feng Ji to get pregnant.

Chen Xiao looked a little strange, and said, "Oh, by the way, I have something else to tell you."

"what?"

"The matter between you and the princess has been exposed." Chen Xiao glanced at the young man in the python robe and said softly.

Jia Heng: "???"

What does it mean? Has the truth come out? His affair with Jinyang has caused a sensation in the capital, and everyone knows about it?

Chen Xiao frowned, her face dark and unclear, and said in a clear voice: "The palace knows about it, but they have blocked the news."

Jia Heng frowned, paused, and asked, "What do the people in the palace say about this matter?"

Chen Xiao said: "First, you are being used to pacify Liao. Second, the Queen Mother came forward, and the other person was not furious. There is nothing else."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment.

There's nothing to worry about for now.

Chen Xiao looked deeply and whispered, "She is in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and I am in the Jinyi Palace. I am afraid that the one in the palace has already started to have wild thoughts."

Jia Heng sighed and said, "I abandoned the Beijing camp and came to Tianjin alone. Doesn't this prove my loyalty?"

Chen Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Let's not talk about this for now. It's useless to think too much."

Jia Heng didn't say anything else and followed Chen Xiao into Tianjin City.

(End of this chapter)