Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 9: The Flames of War Shake the Capital, Emperor Yongping's Suspicion!
In early spring, February, a time of renewal and vibrant life, the weather is both warm and chilly, and the scenery is picturesque.

"Ta-ta-ta! Ta-ta-ta!"

A series of muffled hoofbeats approached from afar, breaking the harmonious atmosphere of the outer city of Shenjing. In the distance, a bright orange-red figure could be seen galloping towards them.

"Urgent report from Datong, delivered by express courier!"

"Those who obstruct my path shall be slain!"

A figure in brocade robes galloped into Yongding Gate, a small yellow flag hanging at his waist.

"Quickly! Get out of the way!"

Upon seeing this, the people on the official road all changed their expressions and hurriedly retreated.

The officers and soldiers of the Five Cities Garrison on duty at Yongding Gate immediately dispersed the surrounding pedestrians, because they knew that the urgent message delivered by the Imperial Guards was definitely the most critical news, concerning matters of national importance, and could not be delayed.

The Qianlong Emperor inherited the Ming system. Although the Eastern Depot and Western Depot had been abolished, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was retained, only renamed the Embroidered Uniform Army. It was used to gather information from the outside world and to investigate illegal activities from within. Whenever the Embroidered Uniform Army was mobilized, things would never end well.

"drive!!!"

The Imperial Guards, weary from their journey, rode through Zhengyang Gate straight into the Imperial City, attracting the attention of countless high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital.

Inside the Xuanzhen Temple outside the capital, in the Sanqing Hall, the Jia father and son stared at each other without speaking for a long time.

"Ping'an Prefecture has been captured by the Mongols, and 300,000 Mongol cavalry are approaching Datong."

“The military governor of Ping’an Prefecture never expected the enemy to attack from the west. He suffered a crushing defeat, and all the military supplies fell into the hands of the Mongols.”

“Borjigin Nari was more ambitious than his grandfather Ligdan Khan, and he integrated the various Khalkha Mongol tribes, amassing a million followers.”

"I don't know if doing this is right or wrong, but the opportunity you've been waiting for has arrived."

Staring at the young man in front of him, Jia Jing spoke expressionlessly.

"Ah."

Instead of showing fear, Jia Yan's eyes gleamed with the flames of ambition.

Crises often bring opportunities. With the fall of Ping'an Prefecture and the imminent danger of Datong, and the southward advance of 300,000 Mongol cavalry, this was the most perilous situation the Great Qian Dynasty had faced since its founding and the two wars against the Yuan Dynasty. This very situation brought him boundless possibilities.

In the past, during the Yuan Cong campaign, 300,000 Jurchen Tartar troops of the Later Jin Dynasty besieged Shanhaiguan, creating the Yuan Cong noble lineage headed by the Nine Marquises. Whether this time it is the revival of the founding lineage or the birth of the Yongping nobles, who knows?

"Are eight hundred people enough?"

“The Ning and Rong mansions have 20 imperial estates bestowed upon them, with numerous tenant farmers, and there are also eight sons of the imperial family in the capital.”

"If we put together enough people, getting three to five thousand shouldn't be a problem."

Jia Jing was somewhat worried about Jia Yan's plan. What could eight hundred men do against three hundred thousand Mongol cavalry?
"Puch."

Jia Yan couldn't help but laugh, and said self-deprecatingly, "Father."

“The tenants of the Imperial Estate still have some strength, but the sons of the Eighth Branch of the Capital are all too weak to carry anything.”

"Am I supposed to take them to bring warmth to the Mongolians?"

'.'

Jia Jing felt ashamed. Taking care of the eight branches of the Jia family in the capital was his responsibility as the head of the Jia family. However, ever since the battle in the capital that night, he had been thinking about staying out of worldly affairs. He didn't care at all what these collateral branches of the Jia family did in their daily lives.

"Eight hundred it is."

"In ancient times, Huo Qubing sealed the wolf's lair; in recent times, Emperor Taizong of Ming, Zhu Di, raised an army to quell the rebellion."

"If I don't even have this kind of courage, how can I talk about changing the world?"

With piercing eyes, Jia Yan's words revealed unparalleled confidence and brilliance.

"it is good."

Jia Jing praised, "The sons of the Jia family should have such ambition. I have already drafted a memorial and ordered someone to send it to the palace."

“I know you are very intelligent and have great strategic acumen. I won’t say anything more.”

"Just one thing to say: be extremely careful."

"Yes, father."

Jia Yan felt the deep concern of his adoptive father, whose paternal affection was evident in his words. Deeply moved, he did not say much, but led his twelve personal guards back to the capital to prepare for the imperial decree.

At this very moment, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation within the Qianqing Palace: "You scoundrel!"

"Three hundred thousand Mongol cavalrymen marched south to attack Datong."

"What is the military governor of Ping'an Prefecture doing? Are the generals in Yanbian just sitting around doing nothing? Why is it taking so long for news to arrive?"

"Do they have to wait until the Mongol Tartars storm into the capital and occupy the Forbidden City before they know what it means to be anxious and impatient?"

Standing before the dragon throne, Emperor Yongping could not hide his anger; his eyes seemed to want to devour someone.

Having reigned for six years, he was essentially a puppet, having to consult the Daming Palace on everything. His role as emperor was perhaps the most frustrating in history. To make matters worse, problems arose on the nine borders, and an unprecedentedly heavy burden of blame fell upon him. If he was not careful, the infamy of being a tyrant would fall on his head.

It’s tolerable, it’s unbearable!

"His Majesty."

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Army bowed his head and reported: "Guihua City was captured half a month ago, and the military governor of Ping'an Prefecture and all officials below him were killed in action."

Boom!

The devastating news struck Emperor Yongping like a bolt from the blue.

The four border prefectures established by the dynasty were all for the purpose of maintaining stability on the frontier. Xining Prefecture looked after the Khoshut tribe, Kunlun Prefecture monitored the Qianxiang Kingdom, Nan'an Prefecture defended against threats from the sea, and Ping'an Prefecture was the most important, directly facing the various Khalkha Mongol tribes.

The fall of Ping'an Prefecture undoubtedly signifies that the Great Qian Dynasty has completely lost its initiative over the grasslands, and from now on, the roles of offense and defense will be reversed.

Moreover, the imminent crisis has not yet been dealt with. Datong is the gateway to Shanxi. If Datong is lost, the Mongol cavalry will be able to sweep in unimpeded, and Shanxi Town and even the entire Shanxi Province will be in grave danger. The Nine Garrisons System that the dynasty has spent thirty years building will be completely destroyed.

"His Majesty."

"We must mobilize reinforcements to Datong as soon as possible."

Wu Sidao, sitting in a wheelchair, offered a reminder.

"call!"

Emperor Yongping then swallowed his anger and fell into deep thought.

"His Majesty."

"Supervisor Dai has arrived."

Su Peisheng hurriedly entered the hall and quietly reported the news.

Immediately, Emperor Yongping's eyes narrowed, and he looked toward the entrance of the main hall. A figure came into view; Wu Sidao had already quietly retreated to a corner.

"This old servant greets Your Majesty!"

Dai Quan, the chief eunuch of the Daming Palace, quickly entered the hall and respectfully bowed.

"Humph!"

Emperor Yongping snorted coldly and said sarcastically, "Why is Grand Eunuch Dai not at the Daming Palace with Father Emperor, but instead has time to come here to me?"

"His Majesty."

Dai Quan held a memorial in both hands, his expression calm, and said, "The Emperor Emeritus has decreed that the northern border is in grave danger. The Jia family's fervent patriotism is fully expressed in this memorial. I request Your Majesty to review it before making a decision."

"Ok?"

With a slight frown, Emperor Yongping raised his hand, and Su Peisheng hurriedly stepped forward to take the memorial.

Without saying anything more, Dai Quan bowed again and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

'rustle!'

Emperor Yongping picked up the memorial, opened it, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. The memorial was signed by none other than Jia Jing, the head of the Jia family.

After reading it, his expression relaxed considerably, but he was filled with surprise and doubt. He handed the imperial edict back to Su Peisheng and said, "Indeed, I, the emperor, have little weight in the eyes of the people. Otherwise, the Jia family would not have submitted the memorial to the Daming Palace first."

"Mr. Wu, please take a look at what the Jia family is planning to do."

"Yes."

Wu Sidao opened the memorial he had received from Su Peisheng and examined it carefully. It contained only one sentence: the Jia family was willing to raise funds and recruit soldiers to go to Datong to provide assistance.

(End of this chapter)