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

Yanmen Pass, the council hall.

The cold wind howled, but it couldn't dispel the warm atmosphere inside the hall.

Jia Lang sat in the main seat and gathered all the skilled craftsmen he had painstakingly recruited in recent days.

Most of these people were refugees; though their clothes were tattered, their eyes revealed a longing for a new life.

"Gentlemen, you have all witnessed the devastation of Yanmen Pass today, a city reduced to ashes, with everything in ruins!"

Jia Lang's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the hall. He tapped the map on the table heavily with his fingers.

"The city walls were severely damaged in the great battle. If they are not repaired, we will be trapped like fish in a barrel the next time the Xiongnu cavalry invades!"

"This is a repair plan that will be put together overnight. Please take a look."

With a wave of his hand, Jia Lang threw the proposal he had stayed up all night writing onto the table, the papers rustling as they flipped through the pages.

Several elderly craftsmen shakily picked up the plan, which was on exquisite paper they had never seen before, covered with many strange lines and symbols.

The group examined the objects repeatedly, exchanging bewildered glances.

Finally, one of the elderly men, with white hair and beard and a deeply lined face, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with a mixture of fear and humility:

"General... please forgive our ignorance, but we really cannot decipher the 'scribbles' on this paper. Please enlighten us."

Jia Lang was slightly taken aback, then a fleeting look of embarrassment crossed his face.

He then realized that most of the craftsmen of this era were illiterate, so how could they understand the sketches he drew using modern drafting methods?

Of course, he would not admit that his handwriting and drawings were so bad that no one could recognize them.

He decisively withdrew the plan and laughed loudly:

"Haha, it was my oversight!"

"Since you can't understand the diagram, then I'll just say it directly!"

"My intention is to repair the city walls, not only to mend them, but also to reinforce them!"

"All the houses in the city that have been burned down or are in ruins must be rebuilt!"

"Not only should we build it, but we should build it stronger and more spacious than before!"

"I'd like to hear everyone's opinions: Is this job feasible? How should it be done?"

"General, if we were to launch such a large-scale operation, the manpower and resources required would be astronomical!"

One of the elderly men gasped and said with a worried expression.

"Moreover, there are still nearly 20,000 refugees outside the city who have not been resettled. If we conscript more laborers, I'm afraid... it will incite a popular uprising."

"No problem! Since I dared to speak, I naturally already have a foolproof plan!"

A confident smile curved Jia Lang's lips, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "Have you all ever heard of—work relief instead of economic relief?"

"Work relief in lieu of work?"

The old man who had just spoken frowned, clearly hearing this new term for the first time.

"good!"

Jia Lang stood up, walked to the center of the crowd, and explained firmly:

"The so-called 'work-for-relief' program means exchanging work for food!"

"There are nearly 20,000 refugees outside the city. They lack food, but we lack people!"

"I, the general, will give them work, provide them with food, and even pay them wages!"

"Wouldn't that provide manpower?"

"The food was distributed to those who truly needed it, instead of being used to support lazy people!"

"I see! Brilliant! What a brilliant plan!"

Upon hearing this, the four old men's cloudy eyes suddenly shone with astonishing brilliance, and their hearts were filled with shock. This was no conscription; it was clearly giving the refugees a way to survive, and giving Yanmen Pass a future!

"General, you are truly a man of great talent! We admire you!"

The craftsmen all bowed down, their attitude one of utmost respect.

"If you all understand, then please share your thoughts. Don't hold back, speak freely!"

Jia Lang gestured for everyone to stand up.

The craftsmen huddled together and whispered for a moment, then the elderly man who was leading them raised his head, cupped his hands, and said:

"General, although we are willing to serve you, we are new here and are not clear about the soil, stone reserves, and specific damage of Yanmen Pass."

"Could you grant me a day to conduct an on-site investigation, and then give the general a definitive answer tomorrow?"

"That's exactly right! Professional tasks should be handled by professionals!"

Jia Lang nodded in agreement without hesitation, very satisfied with this meticulous attitude.

"Li Huowang!"

Jia Lang turned to look outside the door and shouted in a deep voice.

"Your subordinate is here!"

Li Huowang entered in response, his armor gleaming.

"Take the four elderly people for a walk around the city, especially the city walls and ruins, and let them carefully examine the terrain and topography, making sure their safety is guaranteed!"

"yes!"

Li Huowang clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, then made a "please" gesture and led the several elders, who were overjoyed, out of the council hall.

With the repairs arranged, Jia Lang didn't stop there. He summoned his trusted general, Li Tiedan, to his side:

"Iron Egg!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

When Li Tiedan stood forward with his towering, iron-tower-like body, the ground seemed to tremble.

"I'm entrusting the recruitment of new soldiers entirely to you!"

Jia Lang stared intently at him. "This time, we'll prioritize quality over quantity. Five thousand people will suffice for now!"

"But these five thousand men must be strong, healthy, and spirited young men!"

"I will personally train them and forge them into an iron army!"

"Understood! Mission accomplished!"

Upon hearing that there was a battle to be fought and soldiers to lead, Li Tiedan became so excited that his face turned red. He clasped his hands in response and then strode out of the mansion.

.......

The capital city, the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Emperor Qianyuan sat upright on the dragon throne, tightly clutching an urgent memorial from the border in his hand. His brows were furrowed into a deep frown, and his face was full of helplessness and irritability.

This letter was written by Jia Lang himself, but Jia Lang's handwriting was really not flattering. It was crooked and messy, like graffiti, and there were even a few ink splatters on it. It was simply torture for Longmu.

Emperor Qianyuan struggled greatly, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, and only after much guessing and deciphering did he finally manage to understand what was written in the letter.

After fully understanding the contents of the letter, Emperor Qian Yuan's face instantly turned ashen, like the sky before a storm, gloomy and terrifying, even faintly revealing a murderous aura.

He slammed his hand on the dragon table with a loud bang, which made the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table jump up!

"Xia Shouzhong!"

A furious roar echoed through the empty hall.

"Your servant is here!"

Xia Shouzhong trembled with fright and hurriedly ran to Emperor Qianyuan, bowed deeply, and dared not breathe, his back already covered in cold sweat.

"Go! Bring Prince Teng to me! Immediately! Right now!"

Emperor Qianyuan was furious, his voice booming like thunder, "I want to ask him properly, is this the 'good adjutant' he recommended to me? Is this the 'pillar of the Wang family' he calls 'talent'?!"

"Yes...yes! This servant will go right away!"

Xia Shouzhong dared not delay, and turned to leave in haste to summon the military governor of the capital garrison.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Prince Teng, the military governor of the capital garrison, finally arrived late.

Wang Ziteng, dressed in the court robes of a first-rank military officer, strode into the Qianqing Hall with an imposing presence.

Upon entering the hall, he immediately felt the suffocating pressure.

His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately knelt down to pay his respects, saying loudly:

"Your subject, Prince Teng, greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well!"

Emperor Qianyuan sat on the dragon throne, his gaze coldly fixed on Prince Teng kneeling below, as if he were looking at a dead man.

However, after a moment, a half-smile appeared on his face, and he asked slowly and deliberately:

"My dear Wang, how have you been lately?"

This unexpected greeting made Wang Ziteng feel uneasy, like drawing water with fifteen buckets – feeling anxious and uncertain.

He had absolutely no idea what the emperor was up to, so he could only bite the bullet and answer:

"Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, I...I have been having a relatively smooth time lately!"

"As long as everything goes smoothly, as long as everything goes smoothly."

Emperor Qianyuan nodded slightly, his fingers gently stroking the memorial, his tone suddenly shifting to one of extreme coldness.

"I have just received a memorial from Yanmen Pass concerning Minister Wang's family. Would you be interested in hearing about it?"

Emperor Qianyuan originally intended to simply throw the memorial down and let Prince Teng read it himself, but then he thought that with Prince Teng's half-baked cultural level, he probably wouldn't be able to understand Jia Lang's "heavenly book," so he decided to just "read" it to him.

When Wang Ziteng heard "the memorial concerning his own family," his heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition instantly enveloped him.

He paused, his mind racing, and realized that he had not done anything wrong recently, nor did he have any grounds for impeachment. Where did this memorial come from?

Unable to understand, Wang Ziteng could only lower his head further and say, forcing himself to speak:

"Your Majesty, I am all ears!"

Because the handwriting on Jia Lang's letter was so chaotic, Emperor Qianyuan organized his thoughts, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a chilling coldness:

"I have heard that there is a city where food supplies are severely insufficient, and the people are suffering from hunger and cold."

"But the officials in that city not only showed no compassion for the people, but also committed heinous acts—driving them away! Oppressing them! Forbidding them from entering the pass! This resulted in hundreds of people freezing and starving to death, causing heavy casualties!"

Emperor Qianyuan's voice grew louder and louder, until it was almost a roar:

"Since my ascension to the throne, I have always upheld the principle of loving my people like my own children, and I have never heard of such a heinous act!"

"Some people are actually preventing the people from entering the city, refusing to provide porridge or food, and letting them starve to death outside the city! Is this something a human being would do?!"

"This is a beast! Worse than an animal!!"

"Minister Wang, what do you think should be done with the officials in this city?"

As Wang Ziteng listened to each word, cold sweat instantly soaked through his court robes. He pondered to himself, "Why does this matter... sound so familiar?"

It seems to have something to do with my uncle who just went to Yanmen Pass to "gild his resume"?

Why would the Emperor ask me such a question? He's giving me a warning!

However, he dared not refuse to answer, much less admit that they were one of his own. He could only feign righteous indignation and a willingness to sacrifice family ties for the greater good, and say:

"Your Majesty! In my opinion, officials who hold their positions without merit and disregard human life are a disgrace to the court!"

"He should be executed by slow slicing! As a warning to others! I will show absolutely no leniency!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianyuan's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a deathly stillness, like dark clouds pressing down in a storm. He coldly spoke:

"Oh? Your patriotism is truly evident to all."

"However... I have heard that there seems to be such a 'good official' among your relatives."

boom!

Wang Ziteng had just been secretly pleased with his clever answer, but upon hearing Emperor Qian Yuan's words, he was struck dumb, his mind went blank, and he instantly understood.

Finished!

His uncle had indeed written to him asking for help, but he thought it was a minor matter. He never expected that the old man would do something so outrageous at Yanmen Pass, and was even beheaded by that hothead Jia Lang. He even filed a complaint with the emperor!

After figuring it out, Wang Ziteng was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground with a thud, his forehead pressed tightly against the cold gold brick, his voice trembling like a leaf in the wind:

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

"It is my fault...it is my family's corrupt practices and my poor judgment of character. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

"Your Majesty, I...I will immediately send men to capture this man and bring him back to the capital for Your Majesty's disposal!"

Wang Ziteng knew perfectly well that this was a strategy of sacrificing a pawn to save the king.

If I go and capture Commander Wang myself, I might be able to save his life.

If it were anyone else, my uncle probably wouldn't even be able to leave behind a complete corpse; his fate would be utterly tragic.

However, after Wang Ziteng finished speaking, Emperor Qianyuan did not say anything.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.

The air seemed to freeze, making it hard to breathe.

Emperor Qianyuan merely stared coldly at Prince Teng, who was kneeling on the ground trembling, his eyes flashing with an unfathomable light, lost in thought.