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

Half a month later.

Jia Lang stayed in the military camp for more than half a month without ever stepping out of the camp.

For the past two weeks, he has devoted himself to military affairs, working day and night, and has not even returned to his own courtyard once.

Upon arriving at the military camp, Jia Lang summoned officers of the rank of colonel and above to assess their abilities. After meeting with them one by one, he was shocked to discover that, apart from five relatively brave lieutenants, the strength of most of the other officers in the large army of the Beijing Garrison brought by Wang Ziteng was seriously mismatched with their positions, and the army was full of cronies and seasoned veterans.

This gave Jia Lang a bold idea—to reshuffle the ranks and establish a completely new system for promotion within the military, where only the talented and meritorious are promoted and rewarded.

He summoned these five lieutenants and frankly told them his ideas, but they strongly opposed them and pretended to comply while secretly going against his wishes.

It turns out that most of the soldiers who came from the capital had some kind of intricate network of connections and backgrounds.

They dared not easily adjust the positions of these people, and some key lucrative positions such as logistics and supplies were still controlled by the relatives of these five officers.

If these people were demoted rashly, it would likely cause strong dissatisfaction among the soldiers and might even trigger unrest and mutiny within the army.

After hearing this, Jia Lang did not insist, after all, one must eat one bite at a time.

These were not his direct troops, so it was understandable that they disagreed with his radical ideas; you can't force a relationship.

After understanding their concerns, Jia Lang did not make things difficult for them. He simply demanded that they strengthen their morning and evening training without fail, and then he went straight into the central command tent.

Jia Lang had always wanted to lead this feudal army according to the training methods and management systems of a modern army.

Unfortunately, there were too many restrictions before, and many ideas could not be put into practice, leaving me feeling constrained.

Now that General Jia Ren of Yanmen Pass has left, and he himself is now the nominal and de facto highest military commander of Yanmen Pass, no one can stop his reform efforts.

Therefore, Jia Lang compiled all the knowledge he knew about modern military training and put it into a book based on the current situation.

During the day, he ate, lived, and trained with the soldiers, setting an example for them. But he never expected that this process of organizing and training would last for more than half a month.

On this day, the sky was overcast and snow was falling heavily.

While Jia Lang was still pondering training methods and troop deployments in his military tent, Li Tiedan suddenly rushed in from outside, not even bothering to lift the tent flap properly.

"General! General! You must go and see!"

"Something terrible has happened!"

"That Lieutenant General Wang... hasn't distributed any grain these past few days! Not only has he not distributed any grain, he's also locked up the granaries!"

"Not only that, he also ordered that no nearby residents be allowed to enter the city. Even those who had already entered were forcibly driven out today! Now the city gates are full of the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled, and their cries are deafening!"

Li Tiedan looked anxious, his forehead covered in large beads of sweat that mixed with snow water as he spoke urgently to Jia Lang, his voice trembling.

"What?!"

"When did this happen?"

"Why didn't anyone notify me? Where are the army's supply officers?"

"Where are Lieutenant General Xu and Lieutenant General Li? How could they let that old bastard act so recklessly?!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lang was struck dumb, his face filled with shock. He abruptly stood up from behind his desk, his movement so sudden that he overturned the chair behind him. His eyes revealed boundless anger and incredulous confusion.

"General, I only found out today while patrolling the city!"

"General Xu and General Li went on patrol outside the city two days ago and haven't returned yet. The other adjutant generals can't control that old man either; they probably think it's your order, General..."

"Today, when I was on duty and went to the city wall to set up defenses, I was surprised to find many people outside the city banging on the gates."

"When I went down to inquire, I learned that Yanmen Pass was not allowing them to enter the city. Not only that, but many elderly, weak, sick, and disabled people were also driven out of Yanmen Pass by the supervising team wielding sticks. It's freezing cold outside now; they're trying to drive people to their deaths!"

Li Tiedan was so angry that he was trembling all over, his voice was shaking, and his eyes were even filled with tears as he spoke.

"Damn it! This Lieutenant General Wang is courting death! What is he doing?!"

"Let's go! Follow me to find General Wang!"

Jia Lang slammed his fist on the table, cracking the solid mahogany desk in his anger. He roared and strode toward General Wang's residence, radiating a chilling aura of killing intent.

Upon arriving at the gate of General Wang's residence, Jia Lang didn't stand on ceremony with the guards at the entrance, and didn't even bother to announce his arrival.

"Where is Lieutenant General Wang? Tell him to get out here; I have urgent business with him!"

After arriving at the residence of Commander Wang, Jia Lang shouted at the guards at the gate. His voice was as loud as a bell, making the guards' eardrums ache.

"General Jia... please wait a moment, I will report this immediately!"

The guards, intimidated by Jia Lang's imposing presence, clasped their hands in a gesture of respect and panic.

"Report my ass!"

Jia Lang shoved aside the guards blocking his way, even causing the two strong guards to stumble, and strode straight into the gate. Wherever he went, the servants in the mansion gave way, and no one dared to challenge him.

"Go and summon General Wang to me!"

After Jia Lang entered the courtyard, he shouted loudly.

Before he finished speaking, Wang Canjiang strolled out of the room with his hands behind his back. His relaxed and carefree expression was a stark contrast to the bleak scene outside the city.

"What's wrong, Lieutenant General Jia? Why are you so angry? Who has offended our Earl?"

As Wang Canjiang picked his teeth, he spoke mockingly, his eyes full of contempt and provocation, as if he didn't take Jia Lang seriously at all.

"What's wrong? Go outside the city and see for yourself! Half a month ago you patted your chest and said you had a way to solve the food problem, and this is your solution?!"

Seeing Wang Canjiang's nonchalant attitude, Jia Lang suppressed his anger, but his tone was as cold as the wind outside Yanmen Pass, making one's bones ache.

"They're just a bunch of lowly commoners; their deaths are no big deal. Why is General Jia making such a fuss?"

General Wang curled his lip indifferently, even yawning, "Besides, the food shortage in the city is all the fault of those lowly people outside the city."

"Just drive them out like garbage, and there will be enough food. Isn't that a simple principle?"

In his words, the lives of the people outside the city were less than worthless, and he didn't even bother to lift an eyelid to their life or death.

"Open the granary and release the grain!"

Jia Lang spoke slowly and deliberately, each word seemingly spat out from between his teeth. His eyes were fixed on Wang Canjiang, his pupils burning with two flames of "killing intent."

For the past two weeks, Jia Lang has devoted all his energy to reforming the military system and training the troops. Little did he expect that the old dog, Wang Canjiang, would do such an outrageous thing behind the scenes!

He originally thought that since Wang Canjiang came from a prominent family, even if he was incompetent, he could at least use his family's influence to mobilize supplies. Who would have thought that this old man would use the most cruel and shameless means of driving out the people to "solve" the problem!

I just heard Li Tiedan report that the people who were driven out of the city were even gnawing on tree bark and eating clay to fill their stomachs. Many of the elderly, women and children have frozen and starved to death, and their corpses are strewn all over the fields.

Thinking of this, Jia Lang's eyes instantly became bloodshot, turning a frightening red.

These people came from afar with their families because they trusted Jia Lang's reputation and regarded him as their savior!

Now hope has turned into despair, and this sin is all because he misjudged people!

If it weren't for the fact that the Beijing garrison troops brought by General Wang still controlled the granaries, and if it weren't for needing this old dog's identity to stabilize the situation, Jia Lang would have wanted to tear him to pieces right now!

"Is General Jia giving me an order?"

Upon hearing this commanding tone, Wang Canjiang's face instantly darkened.

Although you, Jia Lang, have the title of Earl and are granted an imperial decree, I am the cousin of Prince Teng and the uncle of the current Lady Wang!

The imperial decree told me to "assist" you, that's giving you face, do you really think you're something special?

"Oh? I am the General in charge of military affairs at Yanmen Pass, what's wrong?"

"Can't I even give orders to a mere lieutenant general like you?"

Jia Lang was so angry at the old dog's words that he laughed, and a cruel smile appeared on his lips.

Does this old dog think that because of his so-called Wang family background, I, Jia Lang, wouldn't dare to kill him?

Since you're looking for death, then so be it!

"Since it was General Jia who gave the order... what can you do to me if I refuse to open the granary?"

General Wang simply tore off the mask of politeness, crossed his arms, and looked utterly smug—a blatant provocation: Grain? No! Your life? You dare?

Just when he thought Jia Lang would swallow his anger, a cold light suddenly exploded!

Jia Lang drew his long sword from Li Tiedan's waist with a backhand motion. Without any words, without any hesitation, and without even a gesture of gathering power, he delivered a seemingly ordinary yet lightning-fast strike!

"puff--!"

Blood rush!

Before Wang could even react, and before a look of terror could fully appear on his face, he felt a chill in his throat, followed by a sharp pain.

He stared wide-eyed at the murderous-looking boy before him, his eyes wide with disbelief.

With his illustrious royal family background, he was practically invincible in the capital!

My nephew is the commander of the Beijing Garrison, and my niece is the mistress of the Rongguo Mansion. Who would dare to touch a hair on his head?

He came to this harsh and cold place only to earn some military merit for his spendthrift son and make some extra money on the side. He never expected to lose his life here.

How dare Jia Lang!

How dare he actually kill me?!

Isn't he afraid of the Wang family's wrath?!

"You...you..."

Wang Can tightly covered his bleeding neck with both hands, making a gurgling sound as blood gushed from between his fingers, staining his luxurious brocade robe red.

The arrogance in his eyes was instantly replaced by endless fear and resentment. His body slowly fell backward like a piece of dead wood, crashing to the ground with a "bang." He twitched a few times and then stopped moving.

This happened so fast that no one could react in time.

Wang Canjiang's confidants were originally gathered in twos and threes under the eaves, basking in the sun and chatting, waiting to see how their general would humiliate this young count.

Suddenly, a streak of light flashed, followed by the sight of their master clutching his neck and collapsing to the ground.

It wasn't until they saw the pool of crimson blood spreading rapidly beneath General Wang that everyone was struck dumb, as if waking from a dream!

died?

The master has been killed?!

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned, their minds blank.

It's no wonder they were slow to react.

Putting aside the powerful background of Wang Canjiang, just considering the distant kinship between him and Jia Lang (on Wang's side), who would have thought that Jia Lang would be so ruthless and decisive, not even bothering with pleasantries, and just going straight to the kill?!

This is absolutely insane!

Finally, one of the most loyal and trusted guards of General Wang suddenly turned bloodshot, his eyes turning red, and he became like a mad beast. With a clang, he drew his long sword from his waist and roared hoarsely:

"Avenge General Wang!!"

"If we don't avenge this, how can we face our master?!"

"How can I face my relatives in the capital?!"

This shout woke everyone up.

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes filled with hesitation and fear.

They had heard of Jia Lang's fearsome reputation; he was a killing god who dared to smash the fierce generals of the Xiongnu royal court in front of both armies. If they made a move now, what difference would it be from sending themselves to their deaths?

Seeing that everyone hesitated, the confidant raised his voice again, his shrill voice like a rooster being strangled:

"You bunch of idiots, think about it!"

"If our master knew that General Wang had been killed right under our noses, do you think you would still be alive?!"

"Failure to provide adequate protection is a capital offense!"

"If we don't kill Jia Lang now and take his head back to atone for our sins, we're doomed! We might even implicate our families!"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines, a cold sensation shooting straight from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads!

Yes, the general is dead, and the guards are guilty of a capital offense!

Rather than going back to be torn to pieces and executed by slow slicing by the Wang family, it's better to take a gamble now! If we can kill Jia Lang and take his head back, there might still be a glimmer of hope!

Thinking of this, fear was instantly replaced by the will to survive and madness.

The crowd gritted their teeth, their faces contorted with rage as they drew their weapons, letting out low growls like wild beasts, and charged madly at Jia Lang and his men.

"Kill!! Avenge General Wang!!"

"Kill Jia Lang! Go back and collect your reward!"

Faced with the dozens of personal guards who charged at him like mad dogs, Jia Lang simply stood still, without even moving an inch.

A slight, disdainful sneer curled at the corners of his mouth, as if he were looking at a group of clowns.

"Hmph, a bunch of worthless cowards, how dare they act so presumptuously before me?"

Although he only brought six personal guards, including Li Tiedan, these six men were elites that Jia Lang had dug out from piles of corpses. Each of them was a seasoned veteran and a ruthless character who could take on ten men at once!

Facing General Wang's group of incompetent personal guards, their eyes showed no fear, but rather a burning excitement of battle.

"kill!"

The two sides clashed instantly, their battle cries deafening, and the flashing of swords and the shadows of blades enveloped half the courtyard.

Although Jia Lang did not bring that terrifying iron hammer this time, his martial arts skills had already reached a state of perfection, and his strength far exceeded that of ordinary people.

He brandished his broadsword with the force of a tiger descending a mountain, his movements powerful and heavy!

Each slash is accompanied by a shrill sound that tears through the air; a touch means certain death, a graze means immediate injury!

Occasionally, a single kick could send several heavily armored guards flying backward, spitting blood as they crashed through the air like kites with broken strings, collapsing the courtyard wall.

Wang Canjiang's personal guards originally thought they could rely on their numbers, but once they started fighting, they realized that this was not a human, but a Tyrannosaurus Rex charging into a flock of sheep!

They couldn't get close to Jia Lang at all!

Fear spread again, but these guards had no way out, so they all turned their greedy and fierce eyes to Li Tiedan and the others—they would pick on the weak, kill these guards first, and then surround Jia Lang!

Seeing that no one dared to rush towards him, Jia Lang was happy to have some peace and quiet. Instead of going on a killing spree, he stood on the steps to the side, holding his knife, and watched Li Tiedan and the others perform with great interest.

However, Li Tiedan and his men were not made of clay.

Although they didn't have Jia Lang's abnormal fighting skills, they were still several levels stronger than Wang Canjiang and his group of good-for-nothings who relied on connections to get by!

Li Tiedan wielded his bronze staff with such skill that water could not penetrate it, and with each strike, the crisp sound of bones shattering could be heard.

The other five guards formed a small killing formation, fighting back to back, each strike drawing blood and each move potentially fatal.

In an instant, the courtyard was filled with flying blood and flesh, and severed limbs were scattered everywhere.

In the short time it takes to drink a cup of tea, dozens of Wang Canjiang's confidants were killed or wounded. The ground was littered with corpses, and the blood stained the bluestone slabs dark red. The air was filled with a nauseating stench of blood.

The remaining men, watching Jia Lang and his personal guards who seemed like gods of death descended upon the world, began to tremble violently with their hands gripping their swords, their eyes filled with nothing but endless despair...