The Red Mansions

Chapter 1717: I have met King Wei. Long live the King...

Western Regions, Mountain Country

The trees in the Gobi Desert are withered, and everywhere you look, there is only withered and yellow leaves, creating a bleak and desolate scene.

Galdan of the Junggar tribe was out of breath at this moment. He rolled over from his horse. His unshaven face, rough and broad features were purple and red, and his temples and nose were covered with sweat from the entire escape.

The soldiers behind him had disheveled clothes and their formation was disorganized.

The accompanying Junggar cavalry general, holding a rein as thick as a baby's finger, handed over a cowhide bag filled with water and said, "Khan, have a drink of water."

Galdan turned his head to look at the remnants of the defeated troops who had returned with him, and an indescribable feeling of sadness welled up in his heart.

It was thought that Galdan led an army of 100,000 to conquer the Han territory, but when he left, there were more than 100,000 troops, but when he came back, only seven out of ten were gone, leaving only these remnants and defeated generals.

How unkind has God been to him?

"Khan, we have arrived at Xishan City." A foreign general wiped the sweat from his temples and said loudly.

Galdan replied softly, "Let's go into the city and rest first."

When the foreign generals accompanying him heard this, their fierce eyes flashed under their thick eyebrows, and they all responded in unison.

The commander of Xishan City also came out of the city and hurried to greet him. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am sorry for not coming to greet you from afar. I hope you will forgive me!"

Galdan nodded and followed the guard into Xishan City.

A group of defeated soldiers entered Xishan City, feeding their horses and looking for people to rest.

It was not until the afternoon that the sound of horse hooves could be heard coming from the vast Gobi Desert outside Xishan City.

Galdan, who was still in shock, heard the young general coming from outside in a panic and said, "Khan, the Han army has already rushed up."

Galdan put down the blue and white porcelain wine cup in his hand, and a look of worry appeared on his unshaven face. He asked: "How strong are the Han troops? Who is leading them?"

"Khan, a rough look at the Han army shows that there are about 50,000 soldiers and there is a word embroidered on the flag of the commander." One of the foreign generals said loudly.

"Pang Shili!" Galdan's face was almost distorted, his eyes were full of ferocity, and he said with gritted teeth.

Pang Shili chased him all the way and not only killed the second taiji Qili Siming of the Yarkand tribe in battle, but also caused heavy casualties to the Junggar tribe.

Galdan was like a frightened bird, in a state of panic all day long.

As they were talking, most of the soldiers of the Nigar tribe around them jumped on their horses, whipped their horses, and galloped away into the distance.

Behind him, a large number of Han soldiers could be seen mounting their horses, gently raising the clear sabers in their hands. The blades were shining brightly, as clear as water, and flashing cold edges under the bright sunlight.

For a moment, one could hear the sound of shouting and killing that shook the earth, and the aura of endless warfare filled the air, filling the vast sky and earth.

And soon after that, a large number of Han troops from the Beijing Camp attacked the cities of the Xishan Kingdom in the Western Regions.

With a loud bang, a black hole suddenly exploded in the city wall amidst the smoke and dust.

Soon, a large number of Han army knights from the Beijing Camp rushed into the city along the holes blasted open by gunpowder, chasing and killing the Junggar soldiers in the city.

"Dangdang..."

You can hear the constant sound of swords clashing, ping-pong ...

Along with the sound of sharp blades piercing flesh, the soldiers of the Dzungar tribe fell to the ground like dead grass, one after another in a pool of blood.

The defeated soldiers were like frightened birds. How could they be a match for the Han army?

Pang Shili stood under a large banner of the central army with the word "Pang" embroidered on it, holding a monocular telescope in his hand, looking at the towering city walls.

At this moment, the Han army and the Junggar warriors were fighting desperately.

Soon, bursts of shouting and killing sounds resounded through the sky, and smoke rose from the city. The atmosphere of war was strong and filled the air in all directions.

Galdan once again led a thousand cavalrymen and retreated towards the west.

In the winter of the sixth year of Qiande, a large number of Han cavalry swept through the Western Regions, crossed the Tarim River, and attacked Qiuci.

Afterwards, the army galloped across the Western Regions, sweeping across the entire area.

In the sixth year of Qiande, on the first day of the twelfth month, the Han army captured Gumo, on the seventh day it broke through Wensu, and on the second day of the twelfth month, the Han cavalry marched to Shule and captured and killed Galdan.

……

……

The twelfth lunar month of the sixth year of Qiande—

The Han Dynasty's military operations in the northwest were gradually coming to an end. The Dzungar Khan Galdan was captured and killed by the troops led by Pang Shili and Xie Zaiyi, and the Yarkand cavalry also fled in all directions.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he was also convening a joint meeting of ministers from the Cabinet and the Grand Council in the capital to make arrangements for the work in the seventh year of Qiande.

Throughout the sixth year of Qiande, the Han court was dealing with the war in the northwest, recovering the Western Regions, and bringing the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions under its rule.

At this moment, Jia Heng was sitting in the Wuying Hall, discussing military affairs with his ministers.

"The Western Regions have been recovered, and our Han Dynasty has expanded its territory. From now on, the enemy will no longer be a scourge!" After Jia Heng finished speaking, his clear and bright eyes swept across the ministers below and asked, "Everyone, what do you think now?"

After the Yuan court entered the Central Plains, it established several khanates on the Asian continent. Now, after hundreds of years, they have been completely conquered by the Han people and brought under their rule.

The cabinet chief, Lin Ruhai, held an ivory jade tablet in his hand, and said solemnly, "Prince Regent, the army is lingering in the northwest, and the food and fodder are wasted by tens of thousands every day. Should we return to the capital?"

In the past six months, because the Western Regions had deployed 200,000 troops, the Shenjing City had to transport millions of stones of grain and fodder to the Western Regions, and the Ministry of Revenue was somewhat overwhelmed.

Jia Heng said: "The Western Regions have just been conquered, and the court needs to station troops to prevent the Junggar tribe from reviving and wreaking havoc."

Shui Rong said: "The Western Regions are desolate and hot. If we just want to station troops there, we won't settle there."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "The court is just about to discuss how to set up prefectures and counties in the Western Regions, govern the territory, and make it Han territory forever."

Shui Rong thought for a moment and said, "During the Han Dynasty, the imperial court set up a Protectorate in the Western Regions. Can our dynasty follow their example?"

Jia Heng said: "The Protectorate of the Western Regions was a Han Dynasty policy to control the borders. It is difficult to fully manage the newly conquered territories. The court can set up a governor-general and a provincial governor in Yili, and settle the people from the Central Plains in the border areas, and send soldiers to the Western Regions to cultivate and cultivate land."

Liu Zheng's fair face showed a solemn expression, and he said loudly: "This will take ten years."

Jia Heng said: "To avoid losing the border areas in the western regions, this is necessary. Moreover, since the implementation of the policy of allocating land tax to each acre, the population of various provinces has increased sharply. Although the immigration to Liaodong and other places has been relieved, the newly acquired territory still needs to accommodate the increased population."

Lin Ruhai's face became serious, and he said loudly: "What Ziyu said makes sense."

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "The Western Regions are the barrier of our dynasty in the northwest. They can serve as the first line of defense against the northwestern barbarians."

In fact, Shenjing was located in Guanzhong and was not suitable as the capital of the Han Dynasty. His ideal capital was still Nanjing because it would allow for sea colonization.

Of course, he could establish a five-capital system in Shenzhou, use several railways to connect several places, and then rotate them every five years to better rule this vast territory.

Jia Heng said: "The Lifanyuan should do a good job of auditing and registering the natives of the Western Regions. Registering the residents of each ethnic group in the books will facilitate management and governance. At the same time, the Lifanyuan should also send important personnel to the Jurchens, Mongols and other ethnic groups in Liaodong to sort out the affairs of the ethnic groups and foreign countries, and there must be no mistakes."

Bian Yongsi, the Minister of Rites and Frontiers, held an ivory jade tablet in his hand and bowed in response.

Jia Heng asked, "Ministry of Revenue, how is the grain and fodder harvest this year?"

Lin Ruhai said: "This year, the court used the composting method of Xu Shilang of the Ministry of Works in Henan and Huguang. The grain harvest was good and the grain and fodder income increased by 10%. The Ministry of Revenue is going to promote it in all provinces of the country. Next year, the national land tax can be increased by 30%."

Xu Guangqi not only led the development of military equipment, but also, in agricultural technology, under the advice of Jia Heng, adopted the composting method to pile up ammonia fertilizer, effectively increasing the yield of grain fields throughout the country.

It’s just that we haven’t reached the stage of industrial ammonia production yet.

Jia Heng nodded and praised: "The composting method has infinite potential. It can increase grain production by 10%, and there is still a lot of room for improvement."

Lin Ruhai took over the conversation and said in a gentle voice: "The newly established Agricultural Industry Department of the Ministry of Industry seems to be studying the method of composting."

Jia Heng immediately cast his clear eyes towards Xu Guangqi, the Minister of Industry, and said, "Minister Xu, the composting method can still be improved. You can call on your craftsmen who are good at agronomy to improve the composting process together."

Upon hearing this, Xu Guangqi quickly walked out of the court and bowed to Jia Heng in response.

Jia Heng said in a clear voice, "Everyone, next year the court will still need to organize workers to continue to build railways and roads to connect the provinces for trade, so as to achieve the effect of promoting trade and easing agricultural development."

Liu Zhen, a cabinet minister and assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, came out of the court, holding an ivory jade tablet, and said in a deep voice: "This year, the grain transport to the north is affected by the Yellow River embankment repair. Local troops are sent along the highway to transport grain and fodder. The cement official road can be a tool to connect the north and the south."

Tan Jie said: "I heard that the railway can carry more cargo. By then, a large amount of cargo can be transported to the north and south, and there will be an additional backup transportation line for grain transportation."

Jia Heng thought for a moment and said, "The transportation of grain should mostly be done by water. The transportation cost by rail is too high."

Because steam locomotives are powered by coal, transporting food and fodder consumes a lot of coal.

Tan Jie nodded and said, "What the Prince Regent said is very true. Jiangnan sends 6 million dan of grain and fodder to the capital every year. If we go by land, even if it is a cement official road, it will take a lot of time."

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, glanced at the civil and military officials present, and said, "After the court conquered the Western Regions, it will send a garrison to station in the Western Regions. Who do you think can serve as the General of Yili?"

Shui Rong said in a clear voice: "The court should select a general with great strategy to guard the Western Regions and stabilize the situation in the Western Regions."

Jia Heng looked surprised and asked, "Does Prince Beijing have any recommendations?"

Shui Rong asked, "The regent king, General Jin Xuan of Fuyuan, can lead the army in the northwest to guard Yili and guard the border for the court. What do you think, King Wei?"

Jia Heng said, "That's fine, but I need to discuss this matter with the Prince of Xining."

As for Xining, the imperial court could allow Pang Shili to take charge and gradually change the political ecology of Xining Prefecture passed down by the Jin family.

In other words, when Chen Han was founded, the Xining Prince's Mansion was set up in Qinghai, which was essentially to send people to guard the border. Now that the Han court's border has advanced a lot towards the Western Regions, it is only natural for the Jin family to go to the Western Regions to garrison.

Jia Heng nodded and whispered, "Everyone, the court has just conquered the Western Regions. Next year, the court will turn its attention to the newly conquered areas. You should comfort the immigrants."

When all the ministers in the palace heard this, they all bowed and agreed.

Jia Heng talked for a while and did not stay in the palace for long. He walked towards the Kunning Palace in the palace.

With the Western Regions being brought under the control of China, the task of expanding territory had been basically completed. The eighth year after the seventh year of Qiande should be the day of usurpation of the throne.

Shenjing City, Kunning Palace——

Queen Song was wearing a scarlet dress embroidered with phoenixes. She sat quietly on a soft couch covered with a bamboo mat. Her fragrant and fair face was dotted with circles of red blush on both sides, and her smile between her eyebrows was gentle and charming, peaceful and gentle.

They were Queen Song’s sons Chen Luo and Chen Qianqian.

The two siblings are playing chess now. The special feature of royal education has enabled the two children to learn chess even though they are still young.

At this moment, a graceful and quiet palace maid walked quickly into the hall from the outside and said in a sweet voice, "My lady, the King of Wei is here."

Queen Song's fair face was filled with a hint of joy. She parted her pink lips and said softly, "Announce."

Chen Luo was concentrating, and then he put down the chess piece in his hand. With clear eyes and handsome brows, he looked in the direction of the voice.

My brother-in-law is here again.

Or should he call him father?

At this moment, the young man in python robe was seen coming from a distance. He had a heroic face and a solemn demeanor under his two handsome eyebrows.

Queen Song couldn't hide her joy in her voice, and said, "Zi Yu, you're here?"

Jia Heng walked closer, bowed to Queen Song, and said, "There are some matters in the court that I need to report to Your Majesty."

Queen Song turned her beautiful head and looked at Chen Luo beside her with warm eyes, saying, "Luo'er, your brother-in-law is here, call him."

Chen Luo came out of his dazed state, stood up, looked at the young man in python robe with complicated eyes, and said in a gentle voice: "King Wei."

On the other side, Chen Qianqian, with clear eyes like rainbows, spoke softly and charmingly: "Brother-in-law~"

As she spoke, her voice was sweet and sticky.

Jia Heng gently rubbed Chen Qianqian's bangs and said jokingly with a smile: "Qianqian, you have grown a little taller again."

Chen Qianqian raised her bright and beautiful face and said softly, "Brother-in-law, why didn't you come to see me and my brother Luo'er these days?"

Jia Heng smiled and pinched Chen Qianqian's rosy cheeks, saying, "It was because we were busy with the war up front that we were delayed a little."

Queen Song smiled softly and said jokingly, "Qianqian, stop bothering your brother-in-law. Your mother will ask him something later."

Chen Luo said crisply: "Sister, let's go to the side hall."

Chen Qianqian: “…”

She always felt that these words were somewhat familiar.

However, while Chen Qianqian was talking, she followed Chen Luo out of the warm room in the main hall.

Jia Heng, on his side, watched Chen Luo go away and said loudly, "Luo'er has really grown up."

This child has a clear mind, sharp eyes and a keen understanding, and knows almost everything.

Queen Song hummed softly, with a bit of discomfort on her face, and said, "Yes."

The child is only eight or nine years old, and he should have guessed that he is the offspring of this bastard.

When Jia Heng heard what Chen Luo said, he was also confused for a moment, but he quickly recovered and said, "The Western Regions have been recovered, and the court is preparing to set up a prefecture and county in the Western Regions."

Queen Song raised her eyebrows, looked at Jia Heng with a twinkling gaze, and asked, "The Western Regions have been pacified."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Yes."

Queen Song pursed her pink lips, her beautiful eyes softened slightly, and asked: "Then are you..."

Therefore, it should not be long before this person usurps the throne.

Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Queen Song who was hesitant to speak, and said, "There is no need to rush for a moment. It won't be too late to see the situation later."

Queen Song bit her pink lips with her pearly teeth and said, "Luo'er is getting old. After a few years, he will inevitably hate you."

Jia Heng reached out and gently put his arm around Queen Song's shoulder, saying, "Don't worry, Luo'er is kind-hearted and not that kind of person."

If you really want to hold a grudge, there is nothing you can do about it.

There is no bloodline for inheriting the throne, so I don’t know where this hatred comes from?

When Queen Song heard this, she snorted softly from her delicate, straight nose, and said nothing else.

……

……

The years do not live, the seasons flow.

The sixth year of Qiande passed quietly, and before we knew it, it was April of the seventh year of Qiande.

On this day, the spring was bright and beautiful, the grass was lush and the birds were flying, white clouds were floating in the sky and the sky was clear and blue.

Today is the day when the Western Expedition Army returns triumphantly, and one hundred thousand soldiers from the Beijing camp are returning all the way from the northwest.

The defense of the Western Regions will be taken over by the troops from Xining. On the other hand, according to the arrangement of the court, troops will be transferred from the inland to the Xinjiang military settlements.

Jia Heng led the civil and military officials out of the city to welcome them. Looking at the mighty army that was heading west, his eyes fell on the flags with rolling red flames, and his heart was filled with emotion.

Along with the desolate "woooo" sound of the horn, the "clatter" sound of the soldiers' armor plates colliding rang out and swept over.

With the sound of "swish", the soldiers stood up suddenly. Soon, the sound of weapons clashing could be heard continuously, in an orderly manner.

"Greetings to King Wei. Long live the king." At this moment, the soldiers who returned triumphantly shouted in unison. For a moment, the sound of "Long live the king" was endless, stirring the sky.

As the cheers of "Long live the emperor" were heard, the faces of the Han officials on the city wall suddenly changed, and stormy waves surged in their hearts.

Is it possible that King Wei will wear the yellow robe today?

Jia Heng's eyes were warm under his sword-like brows, and he said in a gentle voice: "Today, the emperor is not here, so let me welcome him on your behalf. You don't need to be so polite."

Upon hearing this, all the generals below stood up.

Lin Ruhai, standing on the towering city wall, had his sword-like brows and his clear eyes flashed, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He thought Zi Yu was going to ascend the throne and become emperor today? It didn't seem like that.

Xie Zaiyi's face became solemn, and he clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, King Wei. Long live your majesty."

The soldiers around were all shouting in unison, the sound of "Long live the emperor" was thunderous and they were extremely jubilant.

This was because, although Jia Heng's previous explanation temporarily dispelled certain thoughts in the minds of the officials present, it was still somewhat horrifying.

Jia Heng's expression remained calm, and he said in a gentle voice, "My fellow soldiers, I have prepared a welcoming banquet for you in Xihe Palace to welcome you."

Amid the cheers of the soldiers from the Beijing camp, a large number of soldiers in bright armor and holding swords marched into the city.