Dream of the Red Chamber: From a Border Ruffian to a Capital Tyrant

"No, that's not it."

"Madam, are you aware of the momentous event that has occurred in the capital today?"

Jia Zheng shook his head, his expression turning serious.

Grandmother Jia casually picked up her teacup and blew away the foam on the surface.

"event?"

"There are always major events in the capital every day, what's there to be surprised about?"

Indeed, Grandmother Jia is now oblivious to everything else, focusing only on the happiness of Baoyu and his family, and has no interest in the turmoil outside.

Jia Zheng took a deep breath, composed himself, and explained in a deep voice:

"Madam, a messenger from the border arrived in the capital today with an urgent message, shattering the peace of the capital."

"The report says that the Xiongnu have amassed over 100,000 troops, with billowing smoke signals, and are advancing directly towards Yanmen Pass!"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia paused, her hand holding the teacup still, and frowned slightly as she said:

"The Xiongnu?"

Over 100,000?

"Yanmen Pass?"

Having said that, Grandmother Jia handed the teacup to Yuanyang, the head maid standing beside her, then sat up straight and softly asked:

"You mean, the Yanmen Pass where Lang-ge'er is?"

"That's right, madam."

Jia Zheng bowed in response.

Upon receiving confirmation, Grandmother Jia frowned again, but her tension quickly dissipated, and she lazily lay back down.

In her view, what did it matter whether Yanmen Pass was breached or not, or what did it have to do with her, a lady of the highest rank?

That's a matter of a million miles away. Even if the sky were to fall, there would be tall people to hold it up. It's not her place, a lowly housewife or woman, to worry about it.

However, when Jia Lang was mentioned, a slight ripple stirred in Grandmother Jia's heart, but it was merely a sigh.

Grandmother Jia had a very faint impression of that grandson born out of wedlock in the East Mansion, and even felt some aversion to him because of the Ningguo Mansion incident.

Later, when he heard that he had become a deputy general at Yanmen Pass, he began to think more highly of him.

Of course, in Grandmother Jia's view, this was also because of the Jia family's reputation, and she felt that it was the Jia family's lingering influence that allowed him to climb so quickly.

After all, how could a child from an ordinary family be promoted to deputy general in just a few years?

This was only done out of respect for the Jia family.

However, judging from the situation, this only "Jia family general" is likely to perish outside.

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia sighed, her tone as indifferent as if she were talking about a dead ant:

"This is probably his fate."

"It was also the duty he, as a descendant of the Jia family, should fulfill."

"After this battle, send someone to Yanmen Pass to inquire about the situation."

"If, unfortunately... you have perished, then have someone collect your remains and bring them back."

"At least we'll still have the Jia family name on our hands. Let's not leave our bodies to rot in the wilderness and become a laughingstock for outsiders, who will say that our Jia family can't even keep a male heir."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng was taken aback at first, then clasped his hands in a deep voice and replied:

"Yes."

As for whether Jia Lang lives or dies, to Grandmother Jia, it is not even as important as Bao Yu eating one less bite of food.

The Jia family's reputation is of paramount importance.

However, Jia Zheng's eyes flashed with a hint of regret.

After all, he had a close relationship with Jia Lang's father when he was young.

Hearing that the clan's only potential military general might perish, I couldn't help but feel a sense of desolation, like "the rabbit mourns the fox's death," and sighed in regret.

..........

The next day, in the evening.

At Yanmen Pass, atop the city wall, Jia Lang's gaze was fixed on the direction of the Xiongnu camp, a deep killing intent lurking in his eyes.

This battle is not only about the survival of Yanmen Pass, but also about the safety of the millions of people in the Great Qian Dynasty. Only victory is allowed, defeat is not an option!

Thinking of this, Jia Lang's knuckles turned white from gripping the sword, and his gaze became even more resolute.

Half an hour later, the silence was shattered by the rapid sound of hooves. Li Tiedan rode a tall horse to the foot of the city wall, dismounted, and before he could even brush the dust off his clothes, rushed up the wall in three strides, kneeling heavily on one knee as his armor clashed with a clanging sound.

"General, the troops are all assembled. Please give your instructions!"

Jia Lang slowly withdrew his gaze from the distance and turned to look at Li Tiedan.

"Okay, let's go."

.....

Beneath the city walls, over a thousand carefully selected warriors stood like black sculptures, exuding a chilling murderous aura under the moonlight.

They were silent, yet there was a suffocating sense of oppression; everyone's eyes were fixed on the tightly closed city gate like nails.

"Da da da—"

The heavy sound of horses' hooves approached from afar, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"Whoa—"

Jia Lang suddenly pulled on the reins, and the warhorse let out a long, piercing neigh, its front hooves raised high, and came to a steady stop.

He looked down at them, his gaze slowly sweeping over the faces of those who faced death with unwavering resolve.

These are a thousand true warriors who have been tempered by blood and fire.

These are a thousand bloodthirsty tigers about to be released from their cages!

Every pair of eyes burned with a mad desire for victory and a burning ambition to achieve great things!

The air seemed to freeze for a few moments.

Jia Lang took a deep breath of the cold night wind, his chest heaving violently. Then, he drew his long sword from his waist, pointed it straight at the sky, and let out a deafening roar:

"Set off!!!"

"Kill the enemy!"

"kill--!"

A thousand people roared in unison, their voices like rolling thunder, instantly exploding in the night sky above Yanmen Pass. Even the torches on the city walls were shaken wildly by this momentum.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of people mounting their horses in perfect unison blended together, a chilling sound of steel rubbing against leather.

"Open the city gates—!!"

At the command, dozens of strongmen roared in unison, their veins bulging, as they pushed against the massive iron gate that weighed a thousand pounds.

"Squeak—Boom!"

With a dull, loud thud, the city gate slowly opened.

"Tap tap tap! Tap tap tap!"

The sound of horses' hooves thundered like a dense drumbeat, stirring up clouds of dust.

Jia Lang took the lead, charging ahead like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, piercing the darkness and leading the black torrent out of the city gate.

The soldiers who remained stood on either side of the gate, their eyes red-rimmed, watching the resolute figures depart. On this land repeatedly ravaged by war, every departure meant a possible farewell forever.

"Bang!!"

As soon as the army passed, the giant gate behind them slammed shut, completely separating life from death, hope from despair.

On the north city wall, Jia Ren and his generals stood like statues, watching the black torrent disappear into the vast night. Everyone unconsciously clenched their fists, their nails digging deep into their flesh.

This mission is fraught with peril!

Even if Jia Lang possessed extraordinary talent, the battlefield was ever-changing, and who dared to claim certain victory?

Of these thousand people, how many will actually come back alive?

As if sensing the gaze from the city wall, Jia Lang, who was galloping at full speed, suddenly reined in his horse and looked back at the city wall.

Although the distance was far and only a few blurry figures could be vaguely seen, he still solemnly clasped his hands in a salute.

"drive!!"

"drive!!!"

The next moment, Jia Lang resolutely turned around, squeezed his legs hard against the horse's belly, and the warhorse neighed in pain, turning into an arrow released from a bow, leading more than a thousand iron cavalrymen into the darkness, leaving only a trail of flying dust and the lingering determination.

"General, do you think... Vice General Jia and his men can succeed?"

General Xu gazed at the all-consuming darkness, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

"Yes! It's definitely possible!!"

Jia Ren stared intently in the direction where Jia Lang had disappeared, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and he shouted in a deep voice. This answer was not only to his companion, but also to encourage himself.

"Lang'er, come back alive..."

......