The Red Mansions

Chapter 1715: The Northwest War
Han Dynasty, the sixth year of Qiande, spring——

After a year of stability, border troubles broke out again in the northwest of the Han Dynasty. Dzungar and Yarkand raised troops in the northwest to invade the Han Dynasty, and the Han Dynasty sent troops to respond.

Xie Zaiyi, Duke of Yingguo of the Han Dynasty, was the main general, and Cao Bianjiao, Marquis of Shanhai, was the deputy general. They led an army of 100,000 and joined forces with Pang Shili, the general of Xining, to resist the invading Junggar troops.

After Jia Heng discussed the war with the ministers in Wuying Palace, he strode towards Kunning Palace without saying anything else.

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace——

Queen Song had also received news about the war at the front. She frowned slightly and was worried.

The war has broken out again in the northwest. What should the court do?

At this moment, a palace maid came from outside and said in a gentle voice: "My lady, the King of Wei is here."

Queen Song looked in the direction of the voice and saw the young man in the python robe. Her crystal clear eyes were soft and moist under her emerald eyebrows. She asked, "How is the battle going?"

Jia Heng nodded and said in a gentle voice: "I have already talked to several ministers in Wuying Palace. The court will send troops of 100,000 in the next two days to the Western Regions."

Queen Song's fair skin and beautiful face were as bright as clouds. She said in a gentle voice, "One hundred thousand soldiers and horses, is this war really that big?"

Jia Heng said softly, "The Junggar and Yarkand tribes have brought all their national forces to come here. The imperial court is trying to retake the Western Regions in one fell swoop."

Queen Song said, "I don't really understand these things from the previous dynasty, it's good that you know them."

Jia Heng nodded, walked closer, and immediately took hold of Queen Song's delicate hand, saying, "It's been a long time."

Queen Song's fair-skinned face flushed red as she gently pushed Jia Heng's hand away from her body, saying, "The other day, my fourth brother's wife came to the capital and mentioned that my fourth brother wanted to be transferred to a distant place."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Why do you want to be sent out for no reason? I see that Jingzhao Prefecture is well managed by him."

Song Xuan, the fourth uncle of the Song Dynasty, has been in Jingzhao Prefecture for six years and has served in office for two terms.

Empress Song said, "There are so many government offices in the capital, and it's not easy for you to be the prefect of Jingzhao. You are responsible for public security and judicial matters, while civil affairs are secondary. You still want to be a people-friendly official in the local area."

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, his eyes flickered, and asked, "Given the qualifications of the Fourth Uncle Song, it would be appropriate for him to be transferred to a local government as a governor. The court plans to divide the Huguang area into two provinces, with two governors, Hunan and Hubei."

In the fifth year of Qiande, Jia Heng adjusted the new political divisions of the Han Dynasty. First, Shaanxi Province was changed to Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, and the post of governor was established.

In history, this actually happened during the reign of Emperor Kangxi.

In the third year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi, Huguang Province was divided into Hunan and Hubei provinces. In the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi, Shaanxi Province was changed into Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. In the seventh year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi, Jiangnan Province (Nanzhili) was changed into Jiangsu and Anhui provinces.

In other words, Jia Heng used the system of governors to strengthen central power while also placing his trusted acolytes in positions of power.

Huguang was also among the provinces to be split this year, and was changed into two provinces, with a governor-general under each of them, who were in charge of the three departments of vassal, governor, and commander.

On Jia Heng's side, the rank reform of central government officials was also underway and was gradually becoming stable. Previously, the left and right vice ministers of the six ministries were all promoted to the second rank.

The governor was designated as the second rank, with the title of vice minister of the Ministry of War or the title of right deputy censor-in-chief.

The governor-general is of the second rank, and is given the title of Minister of War or Right Censor-in-Chief.

Song Xuan is not young anymore. He can be the governor of a province and cultivate some talents to govern a region. In the future, he can directly enter the central government.

Queen Song was satisfied and chuckled, "That would be the best."

Jia Heng added: "The new governor of Jingzhao Prefecture should be appointed from among the capable officials in the local area."

In fact, this position has always been a key position for him to cultivate his confidants.

Jia Heng gently put his arm around Queen Song's shoulders, moved close to her rosy lips, lowered his head and held those two soft and slightly moist lips, capturing the sweet and fragrant scent from the beautiful woman's blushing face.

The two of them were affectionate for a while, and Jia Heng gently put his arm around Queen Song's shoulders, looked at her snow-white face, was silent for a moment, and said, "Don't worry.

Queen Song nodded and said, "I don't understand the war outside. You should use your troops well and make sure nothing goes wrong."

I originally wanted to ask when this man would usurp the throne, but when the words came to my lips, I felt it was inappropriate, so I swallowed them back.

The past year has been full of auspicious signs, and even though Queen Song was slow to react, she was able to sense the connection.

Jia Heng said, "Don't worry."

Queen Song gently took Jia Heng's hand, her snow-white face flushed like fire, and she said softly, "Qianqian has been asking you recently, why do you come to the palace so often?"

Jia Heng said softly, "Qianqian, do you still not like me coming to the palace so often?"

Queen Song's clear eyes flickered under her emerald eyebrows, and she said softly, "Not really, children are more curious than others. Every time you come here, you ask Qianqian to let the side hall go play."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "This kid is quite vindictive."

Queen Song said angrily, "That's right."

Then, Jia Heng, holding the plump and delicate body of Queen Song, walked quickly towards the bedroom.

The curtain was slowly lowered from the golden hook. Jia Heng looked at Queen Song's sweaty, fragrant face, and an inexplicable joy surged in his heart.

Under Queen Song's emerald eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were sparkling with dew and she said in shame and anger, "You really are such a fool."

She is already middle-aged, and this man still bullies her like a bull every day. If this continues, what should she do if she gets pregnant?
The two of them quarreled for a while, and Jia Heng's face was calm and stern. He stretched out his hand and gently put his arm around Queen Song's shoulder, saying, "Zitong, I'm wondering what title to confer on Luo'er in the future."

As the emperor of the previous dynasty, Chen Luo should be given the title of duke or king according to the custom of preferential treatment for the royal family of the previous dynasty.

Queen Song's beautiful face was covered with a hint of curiosity, and she asked, "What title do you plan to give?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Give him the title of king, and let his family inherit it. But I'm afraid Luo'er will never be able to restore his original surname."

In fact, after being emperor for several years, it was difficult for him to restore his original surname, otherwise the memorial archway he erected would fall down.

When Queen Song heard this, she was a little disappointed that she was not made Crown Princess, but she also knew that this was totally impossible, so she asked, "What about Zhen's child?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said gently, "He will probably be sealed overseas in the future."

The same principle applies to Zhen Qing's child as it does to Queen Song's child. The father and son cannot be recognized as each other, otherwise the image of a loyal and patriotic person that he has painstakingly created will be destroyed.

Queen Song sighed softly. Her beautiful eyes were filled with gentleness and charm, and beneath her two willow-like eyebrows as dark as spring mountains.

But as the beauty spoke, she finally sighed in her heart. She and Zhen Qing often competed with each other in the harem, but the final result was always the same.

Jia Heng spent some time with Queen Song and said, "It's getting late, I'll go back and look up the classics first."

Queen Song said softly, "Then go ahead."

Jia Heng nodded, without saying anything else, and walked away as Queen Song saw him off.

……

……

Shenjing City, Ningguo Mansion——

Chen Xiao stood up from behind a red lacquered wooden table, raised his eyes to look at Jia Heng who came in from outside, and asked, "Are you back? How is the meeting in the palace going?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "It has been agreed upon. The Beijing camp can send troops to the Western Regions on a chosen day."

Chen Xiao asked with concern: "How many troops are there? Who will lead them?"

Jia Heng looked surprised and asked, "One hundred thousand soldiers and horses, led by Xie Zaiyi, the Beijing camp brought a lot of firearms this time, which should be enough to deal with the situation."

The Military Equipment Bureau has not been idle in recent years, improving the red cannon and re-improving various firearms and muskets.

Chen Xiao rolled his eyes at Jia Heng and said unhappily, "My son is with Ruoqing. Why did you suddenly think of him?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said softly, "He is my son, why can't I think of him?"

Chen Xiao looked surprised and asked, "Since the war in the northwest has started, has the government been relatively stable?"

Jia Heng said softly: "There is no need to worry about the political situation. The government affairs are going smoothly in the court now."

As for the cabinet, after a year of running-in, the five-member cabinet ministers have been able to fully exert their maximum administrative efficiency.

As for the Grand Council, Prince Beijing Shui Rong, well, admired him, and the Grand Council was also full of his confidants, including his close confidants from all over the six ministries and hundreds of departments, and he promoted many of them.

Chen Xiao then continued, "Yesterday, I heard from the Jinyifu that the Japanese were gradually dissatisfied with the Han army stationed there. Some daimyo started a riot in Kyoto. Although they were suppressed by the Han army stationed there, many people in Kyoto petitioned to expel our Han army. The Prince of Dongping has already reported this matter."

Jia Heng said in a clear voice: "Earlier, the Jinyi Palace also reported this. This matter is under the jurisdiction of the Prince of Dongping."

Chen Xiao was silent for a moment, and then said, "But I guess that such incidents in Japan will continue to occur in the future."

Jia Heng said in a cold voice: "The Japanese emperor feels that he has grown powerful and actually wants to expel our Han garrison and seek independence. This is simply wishful thinking."

Chen Xiao looked at Jia Heng with concern and said, "How are you going to deal with this?"

Jia Heng said, "Xingzi gave me a boy, so I can just replace the emperor."

A few years later, Emperor Meisho had given birth to a boy for Jia Heng, and he was raised by him.

Chen Xiao thought about it and said, "That's good. With the booming maritime trade and the imperial court exploring Australia, Japan is indispensable in protecting the peace of the sea."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "In the future, Japan and Korea will all be converted to Chinese and become part of our great China."

It can be said that everything is going according to his original idea. From then on, there is only one country in the East Asian Monster House.

The Han Dynasty was enjoying peace and prosperity, and its national strength was thriving. It wouldn't be long before he ascended the throne.

Chen Xiao's clear and bright eyes flickered under his emerald eyebrows, and he said, "After the Western Region is recovered, it will be time for me to abdicate."

Jia Heng looked far away and said, "After we recover the Western Regions, we can start the process of abdicating and ascending the throne."

Chen Xiao said softly: "It's time to get started. It's already the sixth year of Qiande. If we delay any further, I'm afraid it won't be good."

Jia Heng said, "It's only been about one or two years."

It has been twelve years since he came to this world. Now he is twenty-six years old. At the age of less than thirty, he became an emperor and used thirty or forty years of efforts to promote the progress of history.

……

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Western Regions, Hami Acropolis——

The towering city sits quietly in the desert covered with cacti. Yellow sand can be seen rising and flying all around, while on the city walls, flags with Chinese characters on them flutter in the wind, rustling.

Pang Shili, the general of Xining, has arrived at Hami Wei City with 50,000 troops. At this moment, the garrison commander of Hami Wei, General Fuyuan Jin Xuan, is guarding the city.

"Dong dong..."

Accompanied by the sound of cowhide war drums like spring thunder, Pang Shili, greeted by Jin Xuan, led tens of thousands of cavalry into the Acropolis in a mighty manner.

After Pang Shili finished talking with Jin Xuan, he came to sit down beside a table. The generals around him also sat down to discuss military affairs.

Jin Xuan said: "General Pang, the Junggar army has already broken through Quxianwei and Aduanwei, and is heading straight for Hamiwei."

Pang Shili asked, "We have already found out what happened before. Did they fight each other before?"

Jin Xuan said: "Earlier, the Junggar tribe attacked the city, but was driven back by the red cannons on the city wall."

Pang Shili frowned and said in a deep voice: "It is not easy to defeat the joint forces of Junggar and Yarkand with the forces of Hami Guard alone, but we can contain the Junggar tribe for the time being."

In fact, the total number of troops of Hami Wei, Shazhou Wei and Handong Zuo Wei is about 100,000.

Jin Xuan looked at Pang Shili with anticipation in his eyes and said, "General Pang, do you have any good strategies to defeat the enemy?"

Pang Shili said in a deep voice: "Defend the city first. The Beijing camp will send heavy troops to attack. I heard that they brought improved red-coated muskets and flintlock muskets, which can fire from a distance."

Jin Xuan whispered: "In this case, the Junggar and Yarkand tribes are nothing to worry about."

Pang Shili's face remained solemn as he shook his head and said, "Galdan of the Junggar tribe is not easy to deal with. He may disrupt the grain route between our Xining Prefecture and the city."

Jin Xuan's heart moved slightly, and he asked, "What does General Pang mean?"

Jin Xuan said: "Use more strategies to lure the enemy and fight with the Junggars."

Pang Shili came to the screen where a map of mountains and rivers was hung, looked at the map hanging on the screen, and scanned the map of mountains and rivers.

Pang Shili pointed to a map of mountains and rivers and said, "Handong Zuowei is located in the south of the seven guards in Guanxi. It can be said to be a protective barrier between the two guards. It must not fall into the hands of the Dzungars."

Jin Xuan said: "Don't worry, General Pang, we have already sent troops to reinforce you."

Pang Shili showed an expectant look on his face, and said in a deep voice: "This battle in the northwest can be regarded as the most grand war in recent years. The whole government and the public are paying attention to the northwest. Whether the entire Western Region can return to the jurisdiction of our great Han Dynasty, whether you and I can be granted the title of marquis, or even duke, all depends on this battle!"

In the initial battle to pacify Liaodong, Pang Shili did not catch up with the campaign to pacify Liaodong because he was serving as the general of Xining, and therefore his title was not promoted. This has always been a regret for Pang Shili.

Jin Xuan's eyes flashed fiercely, and he said: "General Pang is right! Although I am old, I also have the ambition to be a marquis."

The title of Prince of the Jin family has been given to Jin Xiaoyu's line, but it does not mean that Jin Xuan has no possibility of being awarded a title for his military merits. If Jin Xuan can be awarded a title for his merits, it will be a great story for the generation.

Then, the two of them sat down and began to discuss strategies to defeat the enemy.

"The Junggar tribe is definitely planning to use their cavalry to harass our food supply." At this moment, Pang Shili said in a deep voice with a firm tone.

Jin Xuan nodded and said, "General Pang is right."

Pang Shili said: "Therefore, before I came to Hami, I had already dispatched cavalry to escort the grain along the way. At the same time, cavalry should also be dispatched to guard the grain during this period."

Jin Xuan said confidently: "There are probably more than 60,000 cavalrymen in Hami City now, which is enough to protect the grain route."

Among them, there are 30,000 Xining cavalry in the Hami Weicheng, plus 30,000 cavalry recruited and trained by Xining Prefecture in recent years, a total of 60,000 cavalry, which intimidate the northwest.

With the recovery of Qinghai, the supply of horses in the Han area was no longer in short supply, and the cavalry in Xining was also expanded.

Pang Shili nodded and said, "But we can't be careless. The Junggar and Yarkand tribes are proficient in cavalry tactics. Our army should play to their strengths and avoid their weaknesses, and use more firearms to fight for supremacy."

Jin Xuan and the other person then discussed the details of the deployment of troops.

……

……

Hami Acropolis, outside the Acropolis——

Just as Pang Shili and Galdan's entire army were in mourning, the surrounding Junggar soldiers also wore mourning clothes, and faint cries could be heard all around.

Because this was a war of revenge and vengeance for the Junggar tribe.

A few years ago, Baturhui of the Junggar tribe was beheaded by Pang Shili, the general of Xining. The Junggar troops were almost completely destroyed. In the tribe, almost every family was in mourning and crying was heard everywhere.

"Khan, according to the spies, Xining General Pang Shili has led his troops to reinforce Hami Guard." At this moment, a muscular and strong general quickly stepped forward and spoke loudly to Galdan.

Galdan's face was ferocious, his eyes were fierce, and he said, "That bastard Pang Shili has finally come. This time I will tear off his head and make a wine vessel to comfort my father's spirit in heaven!"

Qili Siming, the general of the Yarkand tribe and the second son of Yarkand Khan, was silent for a moment and said, "Khan, the Han army has sent more troops."

Galdan said: "The Han army relies on firearms, so it is not convenient for us to attack the city, but we can use troops to cut off the food supply. Hami Weicheng is still far away from Xining Prefecture. Our army will use cavalry to harass their food supply. After the Han army runs out of food, their morale will be greatly disturbed and they will surely be defeated."

The general of the Yarkand tribe, Huo Kemaiti, who was standing behind Qili Siming, stepped out of the line, clasped his fists, and said, "I am willing to lead the troops."

"Don't be reckless." Qili Siming said.

Galdan's expression became stern, and when he raised his eyes, he looked at Qili Siming with burning eyes and asked, "Second Taiji, you should be responsible for the deployment of troops."

Afterwards, because the Han army was prepared in advance, the two sides began to fight fiercely around the Hami Acropolis.

In the next one or two months, the troops led by both sides began to frequently clash and fight on the Hami and Shazhou fronts, both sides suffered casualties, and there was no clear winner.

……

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