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

October 5th, in the capital city.

On the wide official road, several fast horses swept in like a storm. The riders were all wearing red-feathered battle coats, a messenger outfit only used in urgent military situations.

These red-feathered messengers were all as agile as dragons, with cold and hard expressions. Their arms, gripping the reins tightly, were bulging with muscles as they frantically whipped their horses' hindquarters, urging them to gallop along the dirt road with an aura that seemed to shatter the heavens and earth.

"Clatter, clatter, clatter—!"

The dense sound of horses' hooves was like thunderous war drums, or rolling thunder, violently shaking every inch of the land along the way, stirring the soul.

Along the way, whether they were wealthy merchants with fortunes toiling in the fields or ordinary people toiling in the fields, upon hearing the life-threatening hoofbeats, they all turned away in fear, retreating to the sides like a tide. It was a deep-seated awe, and no one dared to obstruct them or challenge their might.

Even when passing through the areas where the usually arrogant and domineering bandits were entrenched, it was now eerily silent, with not a single person daring to show their face and intercept them.

Why?

This is because although these bandits and outlaws are desperate criminals, they are by no means mindless.

They knew exactly what the words "Red Feather Express" meant.

That was the court's bottom line, the sharp blade of imperial power!

These urgent dispatches, delivered over 800 li, were a matter of border security and national lifeline for the imperial court, but for these commoners, they were nothing more than a piece of waste paper too rough to even wipe their bottoms with; they could neither be exchanged for money nor be eaten.

Moreover, those who can bear the name of Red Feather Messenger are all elites who have crawled out of piles of corpses. Apart from military intelligence documents, they are penniless. Robbing them would be pointless.

Once this red line is crossed, it will attract the court's thunderous annihilation, leaving no way to escape to heaven or hell, and not even a complete corpse to be left behind.

The reason these bandits have survived until now is because of their "sensibility." Since it's a business that yields no profit and risks losing their heads, the shrewd bandit leaders naturally avoid it like the plague and would never risk the lives of their entire families.

"Urgent dispatch from Yanmen Pass, 800 li away!"

"Those who block the way shall die! Get out of the way immediately!"

The red-feathered messenger at the forefront arrived with his voice before he did. His loud shout was like a thunderclap, instantly resounding inside and outside the city gate, making people's eardrums buzz.

The soldiers guarding the city had never seen such a scene before, and dared not be negligent in the slightest.

The city gate captain's face hardened, and he waved his command flag wildly, shouting at his soldiers to forcefully disperse the congested crowd, tearing a wide, blood-red path through the throng.

Among the crowd were many arrogant young noblemen who were usually surrounded by followers. They had never experienced such humiliation of being herded like ducks.

Normally, these old men would have ordered their servants and guards to swarm the gatekeeper and beat him half to death.

But at this moment, seeing the long sword in the hand of the red-feathered messenger, which was gleaming with cold light and still stained with blood, everyone fell silent, not daring to even breathe.

Who doesn't know that the laws of the Great Qianlong era were impartial and incorruptible?

Anyone who obstructs the Red Feather Express, regardless of whether they are royalty or commoners, will be beheaded and their heads displayed to the public without exception!

Rushing in at this moment would not only be courting death, it would be suicidal!

The horses' hooves never stopped, shattering the silence of the capital city as they headed straight for the majestic palace gates.

The forbidden grounds of the palace exude an air of solemnity and self-respect, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside.

Upon arriving at the palace gates, even the Red Feather messengers dared not act rashly. They all restrained their arrogance, nimbly dismounted, sheathed their long swords, and solemnly explained their purpose to the imperial guards at the gates.

After rigorous checks, the lead messenger, exhausted from running for three days and two nights, was now only able to keep going with sheer willpower. Supported by two imperial guards, he dragged his leaden legs and stumbled as he ran wildly toward the palace.

.......

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the smoke from incense wafted, yet it couldn't dispel the suffocating oppressive atmosphere.

Emperor Qianyuan sat high on the dragon throne, holding a memorial in his hand, but his eyes were empty and blank, and he occasionally let out a heavy sigh.

His heart had already flown to Yanmen Pass, thousands of miles away. The words and phrases before him seemed like scribbles to him, unable to penetrate his mind at all.

"Your Majesty! An urgent military report from Yanmen Pass, 800 li away!"

Just as Emperor Qianyuan was in a state of utter confusion, a rough yet wildly joyful roar suddenly came from outside the palace gates from the commander of the Imperial Guards.

This sound was like a lightning bolt cleaving through the gloom in the hall!

Emperor Qian Yuan stood up abruptly, his dragon eyes flashing with astonishing brilliance, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:

"But...but is there good news from the front?"

"Your Majesty! It has been a great victory!"

The Imperial Guard Commander's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the hall.

"Alright! Xia Shouzhong, quickly, bring him in!"

Emperor Qianyuan clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and gave the order in a deep voice.

Xia Shouzhong dared not hesitate, and quickly bowed to accept the decree before leaving the main hall.

A moment later, a series of hurried footsteps, accompanied by Xia Shouzhong's high-pitched yet joyful shouts, echoed through the corridor:

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! This is an incredibly joyous occasion!"

"A victory report from Yanmen Pass! A victory report from Yanmen Pass!"

The old eunuch's hoarse voice sounded even more pleasing to Emperor Qianyuan than celestial music; the excitement in his voice seemed to be enough to lift the roof off.

"Announce it quickly!"

"Summon him to me immediately!"

Emperor Qianyuan waved his sleeve impatiently, the gloom on his face vanishing and replaced by uncontrollable ecstasy.

Xia Shouzhong waved hurriedly.

A moment later, two imperial guards practically dragged someone in.

The red-feathered messenger was now a pitiful sight: his face was ashen yellow, his lips were dry and cracked, and his legs were trembling violently like a sieve, as if he had just been pulled out of the water.

Seven consecutive days of extreme running had already exhausted all his potential, and he was only hanging on by a thread.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects... Your Majesty... May Your Majesty be well..."

The messenger tried his best to kneel down, but because he had completely lost feeling in his legs, he swayed and was about to fall.

"No need for formalities! Rise!"

Upon seeing this, Emperor Qianyuan not only did not blame him, but was also delighted and directly exempted him from the formalities.

The messenger struggled for a moment but couldn't stand up. Fortunately, Xia Shouzhong, who was standing nearby, reacted quickly and, disregarding any distinction between superiors and inferiors, grabbed him and held him up.

With Xia Shouzhong's support, the messenger trembled as he pulled a sweat-soaked animal hide letter tube from his bosom—something he had risked his life to protect.

Xia Shouzhong's expression turned solemn. He solemnly accepted the document with both hands, then quickly ran to the imperial desk and raised it high above his head.

Emperor Qianyuan took a deep breath and nodded slightly.

Xia Shouzhong deftly took out the secret letter, carefully checked that the seal was intact, and then presented it to Emperor Qianyuan.

Emperor Qianyuan snatched the secret letter, unfolded it, glanced at it, and then his face lit up with joy, and he laughed heartily.

"Excellent! Excellent Jia Lang! Excellent victory at Yanmen Pass!"

"That felt great! That really felt great!"

Emperor Qianyuan held the thin piece of paper, examining it repeatedly, his exclamations of praise growing louder and louder, his eyes brimming with excitement.

It took a full cup of tea for Emperor Qianyuan to barely suppress his overwhelming joy and look down at the almost exhausted messenger.

Looking at his chapped lips and sallow complexion, Emperor Qian Yuan felt a surge of warmth and respect.

"This is a loyal minister of the nation!"

"By imperial decree, the one who delivered the message is rewarded with a thousand gold pieces and granted the title of Military Cavalry Captain!"

"Take her away and let her rest well. Don't tire herself out. I have questions to ask her later!"

Emperor Qianyuan wore a warm, gentle smile, and spoke in an extremely mild tone.

Upon hearing this, the red-feathered messenger's previously cloudy eyes instantly welled up with tears. A stiff yet radiant smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and with his last ounce of strength, he kowtowed heavily, his voice hoarse yet resounding:

"Thank you...Your Majesty for your great favor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Then, two imperial guards stepped forward again, carefully helped the meritorious official up, and slowly withdrew from the hall.